Canadian lawyers file lawsuit against Iran over downed Ukrainian jet

The suit alleges that shooting down the airliner was ‘an intentional and deliberate act of terrorism’

All 176 passengers on board the Ukrainian Airlines flight shot down by Iran were killed in the crash. AFP

Canadian lawyers, who previously successfully sued Iran, are seeking class action status in a lawsuit on behalf of victims aboard a Ukrainian plane shot down over Tehran last month.

Iran, its supreme leader, the elite Revolutionary Guards are among those named as defendants in the suit.

The lawyers are looking for at least C$1.5 billion (Dh 4 billion) in compensation.

Iran admitted its missiles downed the Ukrainian airliner by mistake on January 8, killing all 176 people aboard, including 57 Canadians.

The lead plaintiff in the case is anonymous, identified only as John Doe, and described as immediate family to a victim identified as Jack Doe.

People stand near the wreckage after a Ukrainian plane carrying 176 passengers crashed near Imam Khomeini airport in Tehran on January 8, 2020. All 176 people on board were killed. AFP

Emergency teams work near the wreckage of Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752, a Boeing 737-800 plane that crashed after taking off from Tehran's Imam Khomeini airport. Reuters

Debris from the plane crash on the outskirts of Tehran. AP Photo

Part of the fuselage. Reuters

One of the engines. Reuters

Debris scattered across a field. AP

Debris from the plane crash on the outskirts of Tehran. AP Photo

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry confirmed all crew and passengers were killed. AP Photo

Iran eventually admitted to shooting down the plane after continued denials. AP Photo

The filing says John Doe's identity must be protected because of the risk that "his Iranian family would be put at risk of harm or death by the Iranian regime".

The suit alleges that the downing of the plane was "an intentional and deliberate act of terrorism".

Iranian authorities did not immediately comment on Friday, when government offices are closed.

Jonah Arnold is co-lead counsel with his father Mark Arnold, who has represented clients in several suits against Iran, including a 2017 appeal decision that led to seizure of some Iranian assets in Canada.

The 2017 ruling was in a case brought by US victims of bombings, killings and kidnappings that US courts ruled Iran was responsible for. But the plaintiffs could not claim the $1.7 billion in judgements in the United States.

It was not clear whether Iran has any assets remaining in Canada. Arnold said the case would likely unfold over years, and any judgment could be renewed and enforced in the future.

"Providing a voice for the families and seeking compensation for them in the courts is the primary objective," Jonah Arnold said. "When we get there, and we need to look for those assets, that's what we'll do."

Besides Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, others named in the lawsuit are top commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including the head of the unit responsible for shooting down the plane, Amirali Hajizadeh.

Foreign states are not typically within the jurisdiction of Canadian courts. A 2012 Canadian law limited that immunity for countries Ottawa lists as "foreign state supporters of terrorism," currently Iran and Syria.

The suit was filed January 24 in Toronto, but it is not clear whether it has been served on defendants in Iran.

Mr Arnold said the Canadian government is required to ensure that happens, and that he has received confirmation that the suit is "en route".

Canada’s foreign ministry did not immediately comment.