On January 8, 2020, Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 was shot down by Iranian missiles shortly after takeoff from Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport. The tragedy claimed the lives of all 176 passengers and crew members on board, including 82 Iranians, 57 Canadians, and 11 Ukrainians. After initially denying responsibility, Iran admitted to shooting down the plane due to human error.
Since then, there have been ongoing investigations into the incident, with Iran promising to hold those responsible accountable. In March 2021, Iran’s judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili announced that a number of individuals had been identified and charged in connection with the downing of the plane.
According to Esmaili, the individuals facing charges include those who “had a role in the incident” and “provided information and lied” about the cause of the crash. He did not provide any further details about the identities or roles of those charged.
The charges against these individuals include “complicity in voluntary homicide” and “endangering national security.” If convicted, they could face jail terms ranging from three to 20 years.
The families of the victims have been calling for justice since the tragedy occurred, and many have expressed skepticism about Iran’s commitment to holding those responsible accountable. However, the announcement of charges is seen as a positive step towards achieving justice for the victims and their loved ones.
In addition to the criminal charges, Iran has also agreed to pay compensation to the families of the victims. In December 2020, Ukraine’s foreign minister announced that Iran had agreed to pay $150,000 to each of the families of the victims.
While the charges against those responsible for the downing of Flight 752 are a welcome development, they do not bring back the lives lost in the tragedy. The families of the victims continue to grieve and seek answers about what happened that day.
The downing of Flight 752 was a tragic reminder of the devastating consequences of conflict and tension between nations. It is important that those responsible for the tragedy are held accountable and that steps are taken to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
