Ottawa turned up the heat in its diplomatic battle with Iran on Friday when the federal government called for the arrest of an Iranian prosecutor linked to the death of Canadian photojournalist Zahra Kazemi.

Ottawa wants charges brought against Gen. Saeed Mortazavi, the hardline prosecutor who was found by two Iranian government investigations to have ordered the 2003 arrest of the Iran-born, Montreal-based photojournalist.

A report from Iran's parliament blamed Mortazavi for Kazemi's illegal detention and the subsequent attempt to cover up his involvement in her death.

Iranian authorities say Kazemi died of a stroke. But a commission appointed by Iran's president found she died of a fractured skull and brain hemorrhage that resulted from a blow to the head with a hard object, fracturing her skull.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper confirmed Friday that the government asked German authorities this week to arrest Mortazavi if he made a stop there on his way home from a human-rights conference in Geneva.

Though he flew directly to Tehran from Geneva, Harper said Canada would not let up.

"We're appealing to the international community to use all manner of law available to detain this individual, and have him face justice,'' Harper said outside a cabinet meeting.

"I don't know whether we'll see a willingness or an ability to do that, but we want to make it absolutely clear that the government of Canada has not dropped this matter.''

Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay said Canada was seeking his arrest in Germany because he could have claimed diplomatic immunity in Switzerland while attending the UN conference.

"Mark my words, this individual is on notice,'' said MacKay. "If there is any way that Canada can bring this person to justice, we'll do it.''

He upped the ante in the diplomatic dispute by challenging Iranian officials who may accuse Canada of making libellous charges.

"Take me to court. Come to Canada and make your case," MacKay said.

Canada has strained diplomatic ties with Iran but the embassy in Tehran remains open.

However, Iran is forbidden from opening consulates in Canada.

Though there is an embassy in Ottawa, staff there require formal Canadian approval to meet any government officials.

Mortazavi, who has also been involved in the clampdown on the reformist press and the arrests of many Iranian journalists, has been rumoured to be a contender for the post of Iran's justice minister.

Earlier this week, Canada condemned his presence as an Iranian representative at the United Nation's new Human Rights Council.

"The presence of Mr. Mortazavi in Iran's delegation demonstrates the Government of Iran's complete contempt for internationally recognized principles of human rights," MacKay said in a written statement.

"The Government of Canada expresses its disgust at the fact that Iran would choose to include such a person in its delegation to a new UN body intended to promote the highest standards of respect for human rights.