A court in Canada has issued a verdict giving $13 million of Iran’s non-diplomatic assets to the families of Americans who died in several attacks blamed on Iran.
The judgment by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, obtained by AFP on Friday, found Tehran responsible for financing and training Hamas and Hezbollah operatives, who allegedly carried out eight bombings or hostage-takings in Buenos Aires, Israel, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia between 1983 to 2002.
Tehran did not immediately comment on the June 10 court judgment.
“The broad issue before the court is whether Iran is entitled to immunity from the jurisdiction of Canadian courts for its [alleged] support of terrorism,” Ontario Superior Court Justice Glenn Hainey said.
The move came after the US Supreme Court ruled on April 20 that Iran’s assets frozen in a bank account, which are worth around $2 billion, should be turned over to American families of those killed in a 1983 bombing in Beirut and other attacks blamed on Iran. Tehran has denied any role in the attacks.
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, the report added.
