Hearings began Wednesday in Quebec Superior Court on a $17-million civil suit filed against the Iranian government by the family of slain Montreal photojournalist Zahra Kazemi.
Kazemi was arrested in Iran for taking pictures of a demonstration but never charged, then beaten to death in prison in 2003.
Her son, Stephan Hashemi, says the family is suing Iran and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini because it wants to achieve justice in her death.
"The story of my mother has touched the heart of the people and her story won't be forgotten, won't be ignored. She now needs for her rights to be recognized as a human being," said Hashemi.
The hearings are scheduled to last five days.
Hashemi is backed by Amnesty International and the Canadian Centre for International Justice, but he will face challenges from both the Iranian and Canadian governments, which will argue that Iran can't be sued under Canada's State Immunity Act.
Human-rights and legal experts say the case is important, because if it's wiped out under the State Immunity Act, it will send a message that Canadians don't have anywhere to seek justice for crimes committed against them abroad.
Iran has hired local lawyers to dispute that point.
"We're seeking dismissal under the State Immunity Act legislation," said James Woods, one of Iran's attorneys.
Meanwhile, international law experts said the Iranian government is taking the case seriously by hiring defence counsel.
"For the first time since the inception of the Islamic republic, I see they've appointed counsel. They never do that. I take it the reality of the law is starting to catch up with the leadership of Iran," said Dr. Kaveh Moussavi, from University of Oxford Centre for Socio-Legal Studies, U.K.
With files from The Canadian Press
