Justice nears for 298 victims of MH17 tragedy

The only way to ever see justice for the 298 people killed when MH17 was shot down over Ukraine eight years ago is to “not let go,” says the leader of the Netherlands ahead of a major trial verdict.

The only way to ever see justice for the 298 people killed when MH17 was shot down over Ukraine eight years ago is to “not let go,” says the leader of the Netherlands ahead of a major trial verdict.

Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte said the world must maintain pressure on Russia even after Dutch judges deliver their verdict in the criminal trial of the four men accused of bringing down the plane with missile on Thursday.

“(We must) keep the light on it to keep the momentum going,” Mr Rutte said on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Bali.

“Maintaining that pressure, keeping it in the limelight.”

Mr Rutte said the simple fact he was still being interviewed about the incident was “highly uncomfortable for Russia”.

The wrecked cockpit of the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17. Picture: AFP

Pro-Russian gunmen guard as Dutch investigators (unseen) arrive near parts of the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 at the crash site. Picture: AFP

“The Australian Government, the Dutch Government … and all the countries who lost loved ones in the crash … we will never let go of this,” he said.

“So that means for (Russian President Vladimir Putin) and for his country, there will be a problem in his PR, in his standing in the world.”

Families of the victims of MH17, which included 38 Australians, have been waiting eight years for justice since the Malaysia Airline was shot down en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur in 2014.

Ukrainian rescue servicemen look through the wreckage of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17. Picture: Getty

Flowers and plush toys are left at the site of the crash. Picture: AFP

Alleged suspects – Ukrainian national Leonid Kharchenko and Russians Igor Girkin, Sergey Dubinsky and Oleg Pulatov – played a key role in supplying the missile which downed the flight.

After a long joint Australia-Netherlands investigation into the case, prosecutors said the alleged suspects – Ukrainian national Leonid Kharchenko and Russians Igor Girkin, Sergey Dubinsky and Oleg Pulatov – played a key role in supplying the missile which downed the flight.

A Dutch court looking into the criminal trial of the four men began a case in March 2020 and judges are set to deliver the verdict on Thursday at about 1.30pm local time.

Mr Rutte said he knew the verdict day would be hard for families of those who died.

The Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte pictured in Sydney in 2019.

“Many families of the victims will have a very difficult day, and hopefully also a somewhat more positive day,” he said.

“But of course, they‘re still feeling the whole tragedy.”

Mr Rutte said the court was “separate from the government,” but separately Australia and the Netherlands are also pursuing additional cases through the European Courts and the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

Originally published as Justice nears for 298 victims of MH17 tragedy