Why is Canada seizing a Russian cargo plane? Here’s what to know | 24CA News
The long-running saga of a big Russian airplane grounded in Canada for the reason that begin of the Ukraine battle entered a brand new part over the weekend.
After greater than 15 months, the Canadian authorities ordered the seizure on Saturday of the Russian-registered cargo plane as a direct response to Moscow’s invasion of its neighbour that started in February 2022.
This is the primary bodily asset of Russia that shall be captured by Ottawa below the asset forfeit legislation and the second below Canada’s total sanctions regime.
Here is a glance again on the developments, and at what occurs subsequent.
Why was the Russian airplane grounded?
The Antonov 124 plane landed at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Feb. 27, 2022.
It had arrived from China, flying by way of Russia and Alaska to ship a cargo of COVID-19 fast antigen assessments.
The airplane, believed to be owned by a subsidiary of Volga-Dnepr Airlines LLC and Volga-Dnepr Group, was initially imagined to depart shortly after making its supply.
But on the identical day, Canada – like many different international locations – closed its airspace to Russian plane in response to the Ukraine battle, forcing the cargo jet to stay grounded indefinitely.
A Russian-registered Antonov AN-124 is towed at Pearson Airport in Toronto on Monday, Feb. 28, 2022.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
At the time, a transport ministry spokesperson stated the Russian airplane “arrived before the NOTAM was in place, and remains at the airport as departing would be in violation.” NOTAM is brief for discover to airmen in accordance with Transport Canada.
“The thing’s a big paperweight now,” stated aviation lawyer Bill Clark on the time.
The airplane has been accumulating parking charges at Pearson International Airport of roughly $1,065 per day over the previous yr.
Why is the airplane being seized?
The seizure is geared toward placing “additional pressure on Russia to stop its illegal war against Ukraine by straining its economic system and limiting resources that fuel the war,” Global Affairs Canada stated in a press release Saturday.
The airplane seizure was made potential by the brand new asset seizure and forfeiture authorities below Canada’s autonomous sanctions regimes put ahead in Budget 2022, GAC stated.
“Canada is sending a clear message to the Russian regime that there will be nowhere left to hide for those who support and profit from the Kremlin’s war of aggression,” Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly added.
Speaking with Global News final yr, Clark stated the Russians have been utilizing Antonov 124 plane for navy transport and to help the assault on Ukraine, despite the fact that the airplane just isn’t registered as a navy plane.
Clark was employed by an unnamed Canadian cargo firm trying to assist Ukraine by preserving the airplane out of the battle — an assertion Russia has denied.
It nonetheless stays to be seen the place the airplane will go subsequent.
The federal authorities stated, “should the asset ultimately be forfeited to the Crown, Canada will work with the Government of Ukraine on options to redistribute this asset to compensate victims of human rights abuses, restore international peace and security, or rebuild Ukraine.”
Ottawa has laws to forfeit belongings of individuals sanctioned by Canada, although the seizure of the airplane would be the first time that laws is used.
During a shock go to to Kyiv Saturday, Trudeau stated Canada will attempt to forfeit the airplane to Ukraine, so it may possibly’t be used to help Russia’s battle effort.
— with information from The Canadian Press
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
