https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-04-17/ ... /102230268
Iran court sentences those responsible for downing of Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 to prison
An Iranian court has sentenced an air defence commander allegedly responsible for the deadly downing of a passenger plane, a state news agency reported.
Key points:
Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard shot down the aeroplane in January 2020 killing all 176 people on board
The judiciary news agency said Iran's government plans to pay $223,000 for each victim to their families
Ten people were found guilty with sentences ranging from one to 13 years in prison
Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard mistakenly shot down the Ukraine International Airlines flight in January 2020, amid tensions between Iran and the United States.
The missile strike killed all 176 people on board and came as Tehran and Washington teetered on the brink of war.
The commander who officials ordered the strike was sentenced to 13 years in prison, according to the Associated Press.
Iranian news agency Mizan said the commander did not follow protocols in the moments leading up to the shooting down of the plane. The commander was ordered to pay fines to families of victims, the report added.
Reuters news agency reports that the main defendant was sentenced to 10 years.
Mizan also reported the court sentenced two personnel allegedly involved in running the surface-to-air missile system Tor M-1 to one year in prison each.
After a lengthy series of hearings, the court sentenced at least seven other personnel and air defence officers to up to three years in prison.
According to Mizan, the verdicts are appealable within 20 days.
The judiciary news agency also said Iran's government plans to pay $US150,000 ($223,000) for each victim to their families. It did not elaborate on how this money will be delivered to the families.