Children of murdered Sunbury MH17 victims break 10-year silence on atrocity’s anniversary

On the 10th anniversary of their parents’ deaths, the children of murdered Sunbury couple Albert and Maree Rizk have for the first time spoken out about Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The children of a Victorian couple who were murdered in the downing of flight MH17 have broken their silence, taking a swipe at Russian leader Vladimir Putin on the anniversary of their parents’ deaths.

Albert and Maree Rizk were on board the doomed Malaysia Airlines flight with 36 other Australians when it was shot down by a Russian missile on July 17 2014.

Their son James Rizk and daughter Vanessa say the decade since the “dreaded day” their parents died has remained a constant reminder of the long-running political turmoil surrounding their deaths.

“Although their cowardice leader (Putin) dictates an untrue narrative of what occurred July 17th 2014, he will never dictate our strength, our determination and the love we have for our parents,” they said in a statement to the Herald Sun.

Albert and Maree Rizk were killed on board MH17.

Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot down by a Russian missile on July 17 2014. Picture: AFP

There were 38 Aussies on board the flight and all were killed. Picture: AAP

“These perpetrators who have now been proven guilty, still have not admitted any accountability of their involvement in such a significant and tragic crime”.

A Russian missile shot down the plane as it flew from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur over eastern Ukraine, which was occupied by pro-Russian separatists at the time, killing all 298 people on board.

Following a multinational investigation, Russian military and intelligence operatives and a pro-Russian Ukrainian were found guilty of downing the aircraft.

But all three men have remained on the run since.

James and Vanessa said they were grateful to Australian authorities for pursuing justice for their parents, and respectfully returning their bodies home together on a military jet.

They have made the emotional trek to Amsterdam’s MH17 memorial in recent years, bringing Vanessa’s young son Patrick to the site that honours his grandparents.

James Rizk (right) with his sister Vanessa Rizk, Vanessa's young son Patrick and her husband Michael at the MH17 memorial in Amsterdam.

Vanessa and James at a public memorial service in 2014.

They remembered their parents as “inspiring” people who were heavily involved in their community through charity work and Albert’s role as a real estate agent at Raine and Horne.

The pair said support from their tight-knit Sunbury community has helped them cope with losing their parents and honour the much-loved couple.

“A lot has changed in our lives in 10 years but the legacy and memory of our parents still live on,” they said.

Albert and Maree Rizk have been remembered as ‘inspiring’ people.

“It’s inspiring how much of an impact our parents not only had on our lives but everyone around them.

“Although we think about our parents every day, every anniversary brings up more reminders of what we have lost.

“But the constant support of our family and friends is what gets us through these difficult times.”