A crowd gathered in North Vancouver Monday night to remember those lost in the downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752. In 2020, everyone aboard the flight was killed when it was shot down by Iranian officials shortly after its takeoff from Tehran. Most of the passengers were bound for Canada, with a transfer in Ukraine, including 55 Canadian citizens and 30 permanent residents. Arman Abtahi, who lost his brother in the tragedy, organized the evening’s memorial. “It’s a place to reflect and remember the lost lives,” Abhtani said. Members of local government were present to speak at the vigil, including North Vancouver Councillor Shervin Shahriari. “When Flight PS752 was shot down four years ago, it shocked and saddened the world and took away North Shore community members and fellow Canadians,” said Shahriari. A message from North Vancouver MP Jonathan Wilkinson was read at the vigil, detailing Wilkinson’s plan to establish a memorial for the victims of Flight PS752 in North Vancouver. Read More: The victims’ families have long fought for Iran to take accountability for downing the plane, and in July, Canada and three other countries referred the case to the International Court of Justice. “The PS752 victims’ families’ fight for justice is part of a larger fight for justice in Iran,” one speaker at the vigil said. “To find justice, they have a difficult path ahead.” Trudeau also announced today that Canada and its three international partners have initiated dispute-settlement proceedings against Iran before the International Civil Aviation Organization council under the Chicago Convention, the international agreement laying out the core rules and standards for safe global air travel. -With files from Raynaldo Suarez and The Canadian Press

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