Sons of Iranian-Canadian professor who died in Tehran prison back in Canada

The sons of a Canadian-Iranian professor who died in a Tehran prison last month have arrived back in Canada, a day after Canada'sforeign affairs minister expressed her "outrage'' that their motherwas prevented from leavingIran.

Ramin and MehranSeyed-Emamitouched down at Vancouver International Airport at 11:30 a.m. PT. Their mother, Maryam Mombeini, was temporarily detained by Iranian authorities while trying to board their flight.

Mehransaid his mother's Iranian passport was taken away in an attempt to "intimidate" the family into staying silent about what happened totheir father.

"They are trying to prevent us from rebuilding our lives," he saidin Vancouver.

Authorities in Tehran said their father and husband, KavousSeyed-Emami, committedsuicide while in Iran's notorious Evin prison just two weeks after being arrested on suspicion of espionage and spying.

Family and friends donot believehe took his own life. Iranian authorities have denied the family'srequest for an autopsy.

Ramin Seyed-Emamisaid his family "just wanted to get out of the country" after beingharassedby the Iranian authorities, including with a smear campaign they say was broadcast across the nation.

"We couldn't take it anymore," he said.

After touching down in Vancouver, Mehranread a statement he and his brother wrote on the plane.

"Instead of being able to grieve the loss of our father in peace, we have been forced to endure constant threats and harassment by the Iranian authorities," he said.

"The emotional damage and distress we've endured arebeyond comprehension. To separate my mother from her two sonsat such a crucial time is inhumane.

"Today is International Women's Day, and we should be honouring our mother."

He teared up when asked about their goodbye.

"She said, 'I just want you guys to be safe and away from this horrible place and, no matter what happens to me, don't ever come back.'"

Canadian minister's'outrage'

All three surviving members of the family are dual citizens of Iran and Canada, having previously lived in Toronto and Vancouver. Mehransaid his mother is currently staying with friends.

On Wednesday, MinisterChrystiaFreelandtweeted that she is demanding thatMombeini"be given the freedom to return home'' to Canada.

Mehransaid the family has spoken to Freeland on the phone, who assured them Mombeiniwill make it out of Iran.

Freelandalso issued a statement Thursday, welcoming the Seyed-Emamisons back to Canada.

"At the same time, we were outraged to learn that their mother, Maryam Mombeini, Mr. Seyed-Emami's widow, was barred from leavingIranfor no apparent reason,'' she said.

• Wife of Iranian-Canadian professor who died in Tehran prison detained en route to Canada

With files from Laura Lynch,Briar Stewartand The Canadian Press