The Ukraine International Airlines plane was hit by two missiles that Iran says were fired by mistake shortly after take-off, killing 176 people.
Canada, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Ukraine have filed a complaint with the United Nations Civil Aviation Agency against Iran for shooting down a passenger plane in 2020, killing 176 people.
The four countries, all of whose citizens were on board the Ukraine International Airlines flight, accused Tehran of “using weapons against a civilian aircraft while it was in flight in violation of its international legal obligations.”
The Boeing 737-800 was shot down shortly after takeoff from Tehran on January 8, 2020, amid escalating tensions with the United States following the assassination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.
Three days later, Iran admitted that its Revolutionary Guard fired two missiles at the plane, which was heading to Kiev, by mistake.
The four countries said they had opened “dispute settlement procedures” with the United Nations' International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Montreal.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who attended a memorial service in Ontario marking the fourth anniversary of the tragedy, said the move was “an important step in our commitment to ensuring that the families of the victims affected by this tragedy receive the justice they deserve.” disaster.
The countries have already filed a lawsuit before the International Court of Justice in The Hague, demanding compensation from Iran for the families of the victims.
They said that Iran “failed to conduct an impartial, transparent and fair criminal investigation and trial in accordance with international law.”
In April last year, an Iranian court issued preliminary rulings on 10 unnamed people accused of involvement in the incident, including the air defense system operator.
Iran also set compensation of $150,000 for each of the victims' families, and said it would begin making payments in 2022.
Tehran rejected allegations that it was not cooperating or committed to transparency, and accused the four governments of trying to “politicize” the issue.
It has brought its own case before the International Court of Justice, accusing Canada of violating its “international obligations” by allowing people to seek civil damages against Tehran.
“Internet practitioner. Social media maven. Certified zombieaholic. Lifelong communicator.”