According to the indictment, four pro-Russian separatists are responsible for 298 deaths. The Malaysia Airlines plane may have been shot down by a Russian anti-aircraft missile over Ukraine.
More than eight years after passenger flight MH17 crashed with 298 dead in eastern Ukraine, the verdict against the four alleged main perpetrators is due to be announced on November 17. The announcement was made by the competent Dutch criminal court in The Hague on Monday.
According to the indictment, four high-ranking pro-Russian separatists at the time were responsible for the Malaysia Airlines plane being shot down on July 17, 2014 en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur by a Russian Buk anti-aircraft missile.
All 298 people on board died, most of them Dutch. Therefore, the process also occurs in this country. The process began in March 2020. It was carried out in the absence of the accused.
The prosecution asked for life imprisonment. The accused are believed to be in Russia, which has refused extradition. Moscow denied any responsibility and blamed Ukraine.
International team of experts collected evidence
Over the years, an international team of experts has collected evidence, including photos, satellite images, recorded phone conversations and radio traffic. On this basis, three Russians and one Ukrainian were charged. According to the indictment, they were supposed to be responsible for the acquisition, transport and use of the anti-aircraft missile.
Only Oleg Pulatov, then deputy head of the separatists’ secret service, was represented in court. In a video message to the court, he denied any guilt. The defense criticized the prosecution for being biased, saying there was insufficient evidence of the use of the Buk missile and of its client’s guilt.
(APA/dpa)