French minister signs expulsion order for man convicted of killing former Iranian PM

Expulsion order signed for killer of ex-Iranian PM

PARIS — France’s interior minister has signed an expulsion order for the man convicted of assassinating former Iranian Prime Minister Shahpour Bakhtiar at his home outside Paris in 1991.

The order paves the way for Ali Vakli Rad’s release from prison, where he has been serving a life sentence since 1994 for the strangling and stabbing death of Bakhtiar, then 76.

A ministry source says Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux signed the order Monday. The source spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to discuss the case.

A Paris court is set to rule Tuesday on Vakili Rad’s possible release. Judges already have said they favor a conditional release as long as an expulsion order comes through.