The International Court of Justice will review the case of a jetliner shot down shortly after takeoff from Tehran, Iran three-and-a-half years ago.
The Association of Families of Flight PS752 Victims announced the development on Thursday after Canada, Ukraine, Sweden, and the United Kingdom formally referred the incident to the international court in a bid to hold Iran and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard accountable.
On January 8, 2020, the flight carried 176 passengers and crew, most travelling to Canada. The University of Windsor lost five community members, while four other students were from Western University in London.
PS752 was brought down by a surface-to-air missile fired by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard.
"Our Association has eagerly awaited this milestone, and it is an encouragement to family members to witness our persistent pursuit of justice reaching this crucial state," said spokesperson Kourosh Doustshenas. "It is easy to become discouraged by the extensive legal and political process that we continue to face. However, we are hopeful ICJ will facilitate this process."
If the case is accepted, the next step will be a hearing to investigate the downing of Flight PS752.
"We have explored all the legal pathways available to us to advance this case, and as the highest level of court for international cases, the ICJ is a highly effective pathway forward," said the chair of the association's legal committee, Amirali Avali.
The association is also pursuing its case through the International Criminal Court and the International Civil Aviation Organization.
Ghazal Nourian, Hadis Hayatdavoudi, Milad Nahavandi, and Sajedeh Saraiean were attending Western University at the time of their deaths.
The victims from the University of Windsor were Zahra Naghibi, Mohammad Abbaspour Ghadi, Pedram Jadidi, Samira Bashiri, and Hamidreza Setareh Kokab.