A Canadian court has awarded $13 million in non-diplomatic assets seized from Iran to the families of Americans who died in terror activities allegedly sponsored by Tehran.
The ruling follows in the footsteps of the US Supreme Court who in April upheld a judgment allowing families of victims of alleged Iranian-sponsored terrorism to collect nearly $2 billion in compensation.
The judgment by the Superior Court of Justice in Ontario, found Iran responsible for financing and training Hamas and Hezbollah operatives, who carried out eight bombings or hostage-takings in Buenos Aires, Israel, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia between 1983 to 2002.
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RT reports
Terrorism is one of the world’s greatest threats,” Ontario Superior Court Justice Glenn Hainey said in his decision. “The broad issue before the court is whether Iran is entitled to immunity from the jurisdiction of Canadian courts for its support of terrorism.”
The ruling for the $13 million payout does not affect Iran’s diplomatic property in Canada but does touch non-diplomatic properties and a list of frozen bank accounts. Tehran did not immediately comment on the court judgment.
The suit was heard under the 2012 Justice for Victims of Terror Act, which allows the families’ victims to collect damages from state sponsors of terror groups. In Canada, Iran is designated a sponsor of terrorism.
The judgment on June 10 mirrors a recent American court ruling against Tehran that was also won by families of the terrorist attack victims in the United States in Spring. Iran has promised to battle the decision in international courts.
