Iran Reportedly Arrests Wrong Person Who Recorded Ukrainian Boeing Jet Downing
Iran said on Tuesday that it has taken into custody the person who filmed the accidental downing of the Ukraine Airlines' Boeing 737-800 passenger jet. However, the Iranian journalist who first posted the footage clarified that the person who filmed the incident was safe.
Flowers and photos of the victims set up at a memorial service at the University of Alberta for the victims of a Ukrainian passenger plane that crashed in Iran, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada January 12, 2020. (Photo: REUTERS/Candace Elliott)
According to BBC, Iranian media reported that Revolutionary Guards, Iran's elite peace and order troop, arrested a person who posted the video of the supposed downing of the Ukrainian airliner.
A journalist based in London who was the first to post the footage reiterated that Tehran took the "WRONG person regarding the #Flight752 In Iran." The journalist further noted that the person in question is "SAFE" at the moment.
The journalist went on to accuse the Iranian government of "orchestrating another lie" as it continues to grapple with mass unrest over the deaths of over 140 Iranians on board the passenger jet.
Protesters took to the streets over the weekend and throughout Monday following Tehran's acknowledgement that it mistakenly shot down the Ukrainian plane. Government leaders have since called for more transparency in the probe, particularly Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been calmer compared to other governments as he advised that Iran should not ensure it can "repatriate in a dignified way" the victims' bodies. Three Britons were confirmed to have passed away in the tragedy.
As for Trudeau, the battle rages on for more answers amid the deaths of 57 Canadians on board the Ukrainian Boeing airliner. Speaking with Global National on Monday, the Canadian leader noted that there will be "some form of compensation" to come from the incident.
Trudeau also aired his sentiments on the possible role of the United States in escalating tensions with Iran. "If there was no escalation recently in the region," the victims would be with their families, Trudeau argued.
The comments came amid questions on whether the White House should also provide more clarity regarding U.S. President Donald Trump's airstrike order that killed Iran's top military leader, Qasem Soleimani earlier this month.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said in a televised speech on Wednesday that the European Union should make good on its commitments as stated in the nuclear deal, CNBC reported.
Rouhani also challenged Washington to get its troops out of the region, adding that European militia may be "in danger tomorrow." His warning came as Tehran continues to blame the U.S. for escalating tensions in the region.
The Ukrainian Boeing 737-800 bound for Ukraine crashed shortly after take-off last week, killing all 176 passengers and crewmembers on board. Aside from Iranians, Canadians, and Britons, some of the deceased are also Afghans, Germans, Swedes, and Ukrainians.