Families of Flight PS752 victims breathe a sigh of relief as case goes to international court

Families who lost loved ones in the destruction of Flight PS752 are celebrating after their long fight to bring Iran to account in an international court moved one step closer to success this week. Canada, the U.K., Sweden and Ukraine officially launched their case against Iran on Wednesday before the International Court of Justice. The joint application instituting proceedings said "Iran has violated its obligations" under an international treaty and failed to prevent the "unlawful and intentional" destruction of Flight PS752. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) fired two surface-to-air missiles at the Ukraine International Airlines flight on Jan. 8, 2020, shortly after takeoff in Tehran. All 176 people onboard died, including 55 Canadians and 30 permanent residents. Victims' families in Canada say they've been pushing the federal government to take this case to the international court, the primary judicial organ of the United Nations. "We've been fighting for three and a half years for this day. It's actually unbelievable we're seeing this day," said Maral Gorginpour. Her husband died on the flight just three days after their wedding. "Seeking justice and truth for his life was the only thing that kept me alive."<br/>