Ukraine calls for those who are responsible for flight MH17 to be brought to justice so that it never happens again

EUROPEAN PRAVDA – SUNDAY, 17 JULY 2022, 12:00

On the eighth anniversary of the downing of flight MH17, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine expressed support for the international investigation of the crash and stressed the need to bring those who are responsible to justice.

This is reported by European Pravda.

"Ukraine remains unwavering in its commitment to seek truth, justice and responsibility for the downing of Flight MH17," according to the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"We fully trust the independent, open and impartial criminal investigation against suspected criminals in the National Prosecutor's Office of the Netherlands and the consideration of the issue of state responsibility in the International Civil Aviation Organization," the ministry assured.

They called on all states and parties involved to fully cooperate in the investigation in accordance with the UN Security Council resolution.

"A thorough and exhaustive trial must continue to bring those responsible to justice and achieve justice for the victims of the downing of MH17 and their families," the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said.

The Foreign Ministry also expressed its deep condolences to the families and friends of the victims of the downing of flight MH17.

"Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine is undoubtedly a heavy and painful reminder to the families and loved ones of the tragic circumstances of the downing of flight MH17. While nothing can bring back those who have lost their lives or reduce the grief and suffering experienced by their families and loved ones, it is imperative that we take responsibility and ensure that such a tragic incident never happens again," they added.

On 10 June in the Netherlands, the last court session ended regarding the loss of the Malaysian Airlines flight shot down in the sky over the Donbas in July 2014.

Consideration of the case in the District Court of The Hague has been in progress since March 2020. The verdict in the case against three Russians and one Ukrainian who remain at large is expected later this year. None of the defendants appeared in a Dutch court.

In parallel with these hearings, Australia together with the Netherlands started a case with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

On 23 June 2022, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) recognised by a resolution that, in 2014, the Malaysian Boeing 777 flight MH17 was shot down by a Russian missile.