Canadian Foreign Minister Francois Philippe Champagne warned Thursday that the international community is "awaiting answers" regarding the shooting down of the Ukrainian plane in Iran, following a meeting of the affected countries that demanded that Tehran compensate the families of the victims and prosecute those responsible for the disaster.
"The families want answers, and the international community wants answers," Champaign said. The world is waiting for answers and we will continue our efforts as long as we do not get these answers.
"This is not the time to press charges, but the time to obtain answers," he added.
He was speaking after a meeting in London with his British, Ukrainian, Swedish and Afghan counterparts.
In a statement issued after the meeting, the representatives of the five countries called on Iran to "take full responsibility" for the disaster, including compensation.
They demanded that "those responsible" for the tragedy that occurred in an atmosphere of extreme tension between Iran and the United States that resulted in the death of 176 people be subjected to "an independent criminal investigation and transparent and impartial judicial mechanisms."
After two days of repeated denial, the Iranian armed forces acknowledged on Saturday responsibility for shooting down the plane, speaking of a "human error".
"When you accept (take) full responsibility, there are consequences," Champagne said.
On Tuesday, the Iranian authorities announced a series of arrests as part of a "broad investigation" to determine responsibilities.
President Hassan Rouhani called for the establishment of a "special court with senior judges and dozens of experts" to "hold accountable" all those responsible for the disaster.