Four countries – the United Kingdom, Canada, Sweden, and Ukraine – have launched a case against Iran at the United Nations’ International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, seeking justice for the victims of Flight PS752, which was shot down by Iranian forces in January 2020. All 176 passengers and crew aboard the Ukrainian plane were killed in the incident, which occurred shortly after takeoff from Tehran. The countries are asking the ICJ to order Iran to apologize and make financial compensation to the families of the victims, as well as to provide “transparency, justice, and accountability” for the tragedy. This comes after Iran failed to respond to a December request for arbitration.

The passengers and crew included nationals and residents of Canada, Sweden, Ukraine and the United Kingdom, as well as Afghanistan and Iran. Their ages ranged from 1 year to 74 years old. After initially denying responsibility for the incident, Iran eventually accepted blame, citing a mistake by an air defense operator who allegedly mistook the Boeing 737-800 for an American cruise missile. An Iranian court later sentenced an air defense commander to 13 years in prison for his part in the downing.

However, the countries involved in the ICJ case have argued that Iran has failed to “conduct an impartial, transparent, and fair criminal investigation and prosecution consistent with international law”. They allege that Iran withheld or destroyed evidence, blamed other countries and low level Revolutionary Guard personnel, and failed to report details of the incident to the International Civil Aviation Organization. Iran has also been accused of threatening and harassing the families of the victims in their pursuit of justice.

In addition, Iran recently filed a case against Canada for allowing relatives of terrorism victims to seek reparations from the Islamic Republic. The families of Flight PS752 are also represented by the U.K.-based law firm Hausfeld, who are also representing the families of the victims of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, which was shot down over eastern Ukraine in 2014.

The case at the ICJ serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of war and conflict, and the importance of seeking justice for those affected. It is hoped that the court’s ruling will bring closure and compensation to the families of those who lost their lives in the downing of Flight PS752.