Ukraine’s ex-deputy prosecutor names possible perpetrators of Ukrainian plane shot down by Iran
Ukrainian investigators know the names of the possible perpetrators of the destruction of Ukrainian International Airlines Flight PS752, which was downed by an Iranian anti-aircraft missile in early 2020, Gyunduz Mamedov, a former deputy prosecutor general of Ukraine, said in a Jan. 8 tweet marking the second anniversary of the tragedy.
“We know the possible crime (sic) perpetrators from different sources,” Mamedov wrote. “It’s necessary to verify their complicity. If Iran fully rejects its responsibility and proper compensations, Ukraine can and will have to seek justice from international bodies. Specifically sue Iran at (the International Court of Justice).”
Mamedov added that Ukraine’s investigation of the downing would have gone better had Ukraine received greater cooperation from the Iranian authorities.
“For two years Iran has not shown cooperation, in fact,” he said.
He urged Ukraine to intensify its own investigation into the matter, and to deepen cooperation with the other nations affected by the tragedy.
In an article for Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty titled “Flight PS752 crash: Two years later,” Mamedov said the investigators should analyze a detailed report released on Nov. 24 by the Association of Families of Flight PS752 Victims.
He further argued that it would be necessary to verify the involvement of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Iranian army in the destruction of the plane, in particular Captain Mehdi Khosravi (TOR M-1 commander), First Lieutenant Meysam Kheirollahi (air defense controller), Third Lieutenant Seyed Ahmad Miri (air defense controller), First Lieutenant Mohammad Majid Eslam Doost, Captain Sajjad Mohammadi, Major Hamed Mabhout, Second Brigadier General Ibrahim Safaei Kia, Brigadier General Ali Akbar Seydoun, and Colonel Mostafa Faratі.
Mamedov believes those individuals to be guilty of negligence, among other crimes.
PS752 downing near Tehran
Kyiv-bound passenger flight PS752, a Boeing 737 operated by Ukraine International Airlines, was shot down in Iran on Jan. 8, 2020, shortly after taking off from Tehran International Airport.
All 176 people on board, including 11 Ukrainian nationals – nine crew and two passengers – were killed.
Most of the victims were citizens of Iran and Canada.
Three days later, Iran officially admitted that the Ukrainian aircraft had been shot down, saying it was the result of unintentional “human error.”
Data from the aircraft’s flight recorders released in July 2020 confirmed that the aircraft had been destroyed after being hit by two anti-aircraft missiles.
According to the report, the first missile caused significant damage to the aircraft, but its engines remained running and pilots attempted to maintain control of the flight. However, the second missile’s impact resulted in the plane’s destruction.
Iran insists that the plane shoot-down was purely a mistake by an air defense controller.
Ukraine has rejected Iran’s claims and demanded admission to the Iranian investigation, as well as reparations.
Iranian authorities have charged 10 Iranian officials with being responsible for PS752’s downing, though they have refused to disclose their names and positions.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Jan. 6 that Iran continues to avoid its international legal responsibilities and refuses to negotiate the payment of compensation for the destruction of PS752.
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