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An Iranian court has reportedly sentenced a McGill-trained scientist to 10 years in jail after she was accused of being an American spy while doing research on cheetahs.

The Canadian government “is deeply concerned by the sentencing of Niloufar Bayani,” said Angela Savard, a spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada.

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“Canada is committed to holding Iran to account for its violations of human and democratic rights. That is why Canada led a resolution at the UN last week calling on Iran to comply with its international human rights obligations.”

Bayani’s sentence comes as Iran is in the throes of nationwide protests sparked by a hike in fuel prices. Amnesty International says Iranian security forces have killed more than 100 demonstrators.

Iranian-born Bayani, who graduated from McGill University with a biology degree in 2009, was among eight researchers arrested in January 2018. They worked for the Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation, an Iranian environmental organization.