Hoodfar's family says Iranian authorities have refused regular visits by her lawyer and have tried to dismiss him. 'We were asked by the Iranian judicial authorities to tone down the media on Homa's case.' She went to Iran in February to see family and conduct research in a visit that coincided with Iranian elections. Iranian authorities have charged her with collaborating with a hostile government against national security and with propaganda against the state — charges her family calls trumped-up. Without formal diplomatic channels in Iran (Canada closed its Tehran Embassy in 2012), Canada has to rely on allies with official diplomatic ties.

Source: CBC News August 30, 2016 11:04 UTC