Iran
Debris litters the scene where a Ukrainian plane crashed after it was shot down southwest of Tehran, Iran, January 8, 2020. File photo: Ebrahim Noroozi/AP
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — A Canadian eight-month forensic investigation into the downing of a Ukrainian Airlines passenger flight after it took off from Tehran concluded that Iran is “fully responsible” for the tragedy that killed all 176 passengers. Iran has rejected the Canadian report.
“Today, the Government of Canada released a report that confirms that Iranian civilian and military authorities, through their decisions, actions, and omissions, are fully responsible for the downing of Flight PS752,” Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau said in a statement on Thursday.
On January 8, 2020, Ukrainian Airlines Flight 752 crashed shortly after takeoff from Tehran. Three days later, Iran’s military admitted it had mistakenly shot down the flight. The tragedy occurred as the Islamic Republic Guard Corps (IRGC) fired missiles at two bases housing American troops in Iraq, in retaliation for the US assassination of the IRGC Quds Force’s General Qasem Soleimani. All 176 passengers on board were killed, 138 had ties to Canada.
The Canadian report found no evidence that that incident was premeditated, the CBC reported, but concluded Iran still bore responsibility.
“According to the report, Iranian authorities positioned anti-aircraft systems on high alert near a civilian airport, without implementing basic protections like closing the airspace over Tehran or notifying airlines. All planes flying into or out of Tehran’s airport that night were at risk,” stated Trudeau.
“The report highlights the Iranian authorities’ recklessness, incompetence, and wanton disregard for human life,” he added.
Tehran has rejected the report as “baseless.”
Iran’s official version of events is that the tragedy was caused by human error, blaming the air defence operator who identified the passenger flight as a "hostile target" during a time of high tensions.
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mohsen Baharvand on Friday said Canada was not qualified to present such a report and if “such illegal behaviors of Canada become common, all countries, even civilian aviation, will be hurt,” IRNA reported.
Trudeau said Ottawa will continue to seek full reparations from Tehran and work to improve international standards for protection of civilian air travel in or near conflict zones.
“Today, the Government of Canada released a report that confirms that Iranian civilian and military authorities, through their decisions, actions, and omissions, are fully responsible for the downing of Flight PS752,” Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau said in a statement on Thursday.
On January 8, 2020, Ukrainian Airlines Flight 752 crashed shortly after takeoff from Tehran. Three days later, Iran’s military admitted it had mistakenly shot down the flight. The tragedy occurred as the Islamic Republic Guard Corps (IRGC) fired missiles at two bases housing American troops in Iraq, in retaliation for the US assassination of the IRGC Quds Force’s General Qasem Soleimani. All 176 passengers on board were killed, 138 had ties to Canada.
The Canadian report found no evidence that that incident was premeditated, the CBC reported, but concluded Iran still bore responsibility.
“According to the report, Iranian authorities positioned anti-aircraft systems on high alert near a civilian airport, without implementing basic protections like closing the airspace over Tehran or notifying airlines. All planes flying into or out of Tehran’s airport that night were at risk,” stated Trudeau.
“The report highlights the Iranian authorities’ recklessness, incompetence, and wanton disregard for human life,” he added.
Tehran has rejected the report as “baseless.”
Iran’s official version of events is that the tragedy was caused by human error, blaming the air defence operator who identified the passenger flight as a "hostile target" during a time of high tensions.
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mohsen Baharvand on Friday said Canada was not qualified to present such a report and if “such illegal behaviors of Canada become common, all countries, even civilian aviation, will be hurt,” IRNA reported.
Trudeau said Ottawa will continue to seek full reparations from Tehran and work to improve international standards for protection of civilian air travel in or near conflict zones.
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