Career
In 2005 he became a Canadian citizen. As of 2014, he was a fugitive wanted by the judicial authorities of Iran and Interpol. He was chairman of Bank Melli Iran and chairman of Bank Sepah’s board of directors from December 2003 until at least March 2005.
On September 27, 2011, he flew from Iran to Canada.
Despite numerous requests from Iranian police and Interpol, Canadian authorities did not extradite Khavari. He may face the death penalty if convicted by the judicial system of Iran.
Toronto property records in Khavari’s name date to 2001, when he took out a mortgage for a $615,000 property on Elmwood Avenue., in North New York At one time, Khavari owned a Toronto-based company called Soaring Properties.
On October 31, 2011, House of Commons of Canada member Irwin Cotler called for investigation on how he became a Canadian citizen.
In February 2014, the head of the Interpol Office of Iranian police said “a few days ago, the Canadian Interpol claimed in a phone contact that he has escaped to a Latin American or Caribbean country but that they couldn"t verify the escape yet, and this is the latest piece of information provided by the Canadian police to us”. He dismissed the report on his escape from Canada". In March 2015, the same official announced that his hiding place had been discovered and Canadian authorities were referring his case to Canadian judiciary.
