Flight 752 Victims’ Families Awarded $107M by Ontario Court
Nearly two years after 176 people died when Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 was shot down, families of six victims have received a $107 million award in civil court. The decision included $100 million in punitive damages that will be split among the families, plus $1 million for specific losses, and another $6 million for pain and suffering. CBC details that the Flight 752 disaster was part of a deliberate terrorist act. Lawyer Mark Arnold explains that the team plans to seize Iranian assets in Canada and elsewhere to ensure that the award is paid. Canada is currently joining forces with multiple countries also seeking reparations from Iran for citizens lost on the flight. Iran has stated that its government will not engage in negotiations, prompting a statement by the countries promising to consider more aggressive actions against Iran. Unsurprisingly, Iran’s foreign ministry asserted that the courts lacked evidence, calling the Ontario ruling “shameful.” Because this was a civil case, not criminal, plaintiffs were not required to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt. Iran has spoken out against Canadian class actions relating to Flight 752, saying any relevant litigation should take place in Iran. A news conference is expected this week.