Iranian lawyers file lawsuit against US over fighters killed in Syria

Ghanbar Naderi
Press TV, Tehran


On behalf of 48 Iranian families, a private law firm has filed criminal charges against the US government and several American companies and officials over allegations that they trained, financed and armed the terrorist group of Daesh and other armed groups in Syria, while putting the lives of Iranian fighters defending the holy shrines in danger.

The case is the first in Iran and lawyers told Press TV they are confident it will lead to a criminal inquiry into America’s liability for its criminal activities in Syria.

The suit names 19 American entities, including top US government officials, the Department of State, military commanders and others as defendants.

Lawyers say US officials have admitted they trained and weaponized various terrorist groups to affect regime change in Syria and this can be used as evidence in the court. The suit alleges that the killing of Iranian fighters was an intentional and deliberate act of terrorism.

Lawyers say the case would likely unfold over years, and any judgment could be renewed and enforced in the future. Foreign states are also not typically within the jurisdiction of Iranian courts. The suit was filed in Tehran and will be served on defendants in the United States.

Many Iranian fighters were killed and wounded in Iraq and Syria while defending the holy shrines. There are still some Iranian military advisers in Syria.

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