The 55th Division of the International Affairs Court at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Judicial Complex issued a ruling on Wednesday after 438 thalassemia patients filed lawsuits against 17 natural and legal entities in the US administration involved in impose medical-related sanctions on 17 natural and legal entities in the US administration.
The court’s verdict has declared the US government and officials to pay the plaintiff $12.615 billion in material, moral and punitive damages.
“Since the onset of secondary sanctions and the imposition of drug sanctions, if the original and high-quality drugs were not present, they (thalassemia patients) inevitably supplied low-quality drugs, suffered from severe complications, and consequently faced many medical costs,” the court said.
“In fact, the lack of medication needed for thalassemia patients has led to an increase in drug allergies in these patients and the worsening pain and distress caused by the use of other drugs.”
The verdict pointed to the destructive effects of drugs, including physiological and psychological distress and the damage caused to the patient themselves and their relatives, how they caused restrictions on the social relationships of patients, such as attending school, and how they resulted in limited work opportunities available.
“Unsolved US sanctions that indiscriminately subjected a population that “needs protection” indiscriminately, including the deprivation of rights of life or physical harm, were a clear example of criminal activity against civilians and presented them with their private liability,” the court upheld.
MNA