International politics likely to affect Tehran crash investigation

As questions mount over the cause of the crash of Ukraine
International Airlines flight PS 752, questions are also rising about how the
investigation in to the crash will be handled. Unian, a Ukrainian news site,
reports that international protocol stipulates that Iran would lead the
investigation. The Ukrainian government has already been in contact with Tehran
regarding a Ukrainian presence in the investigation because of the nationality
of the carrier. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has also voiced Canada’s
intention to be involved based on the presence of 63 Canadian citizens on
board.

However, the technical capacity to read the data
recorders, or black boxes, is not widespread, and the New York Times reports
that Ali Abedzadeh, the head of Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization, has told
Iranian media that Tehran will not be sending the black boxes to the plane’s
manufacturer, Boeing, or to the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board. The
degree of technical acuity without Boeing on board is also an open question
that the Iranians will need to address. There has been no indication from Iran
regarding the international make-up of the investigation team.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky
has declared a national day of mourning for Jan. 9. Unian reports that
Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Vadym Prystaiko, announced that two passengers and
nine crew of PS 752 were Ukrainian citizens.