Canada, allies launch case against Iran for downing of passenger jet

By Firdevs Bulut Kartal

TORONTO (AA) - Canada, Sweden, Ukraine and the United Kingdom announced Wednesday they are taking Iran to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for the downing of a Ukrainian passenger jet, according to a statement.

“We, ministers representing Canada, Sweden, Ukraine and the United Kingdom, have taken an important step in our collective effort to ensure Iran is held accountable for the unlawful downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 (Flight PS752)."

Iran failed to respond to a request for arbitration sent in December 2022, and as a result, the countries applied to the ICJ, instituting proceedings against Iran concerning its breaches of the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Civil Aviation of 1971.

"Iran’s actions and omissions in relation to the downing of Flight PS752 by 2 surface-to-air missiles launched by members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force amount to violations of Iran’s international legal obligations, for which Iran must take full responsibility," said the statement.

Iran failed to take all measures to prevent the destruction of Flight PS752 by members of its armed forces, and failed to advance a comprehensive, transparent and impartial criminal investigation and prosecution in accordance with international standards, it said.

“Today’s legal action reflects our unwavering commitment to achieving transparency, justice and accountability for the families of the victims,” it added.

- Downing of Flight PS752

Flight PS752 to Kyiv, Ukraine was downed shortly after takeoff in Tehran on Jan. 8, 2020, killing everyone aboard.

Fifty-five Canadians and 30 permanent residents were on the plane, as well as nationals and residents of Sweden, Ukraine, the UK, Afghanistan and Iran.

The four countries want the ICJ to rule that Iran illegally downed the Ukraine International Airlines plane, ordering Tehran to apologize and pay compensation to families of the victims, according to media reports.