MH17

Investigators said they found that the Russian president likely approved the supply of heavy anti-aircraft weapons to Ukrainian separatists who shot down ...

It had continued to investigate the crew of the missile system that brought down the plane and those who ordered its deployment in Ukraine. The Buk missile system came from the Russian military's 53rd Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade, based in the city of Kursk. The Russian Foreign Ministry accused the court in November of bowing to pressure from Dutch politicians, prosecutors and the news media. The convictions and the court's finding that the surface-to-air Buk missile came from a Russian military base were seen as a clear indication that Moscow had a role in the tragedy. "We're really clear on what has happened, but the answer to the question why MH17 was shot down still remains in Russia." She also said that, as head of state, Putin would have immunity from prosecution in the Netherlands.

The Australian government on Thursday said it had acknowledged the decision by international prosecutors to suspend their investigation into the downing of ...

Register for free to Reuters and know the full story [a Dutch court convicted](/world/europe/judges-rule-murder-trial-2014-downing-flight-mh17-over-ukraine-2022-11-17/) two former Russian intelligence agents and a Ukrainian separatist leader in absentia of murder for their role in the shooting down of MH17, and handed them life sentences. Australia and the Netherlands have said they hold Russia responsible for MH17's downing.

Investigators say findings suggest decision to provide Buk system to Donetsk separatists 'taken at presidential level'

However, investigators said the evidence was not enough to lead to prosecution. The three men remain at large and it remains unclear if they will ever serve their sentences. The JIT is made up of experts from the Netherlands, Australia, Malaysia, Belgium and Ukraine.

The aircraft was hit by a Russian-made missile in eastern Ukraine in 2014, killing 298 people.

"All the news we heard about Putin and his personal involvement in the downing on MH17 - facilitating with heavy weapons, the fact he decided personally to hand over heavy arms … Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said it was "now clear" Vladimir Putin was involved in the tragedy. The team wanted to prove the identities of the missile's crew members, and who was in the chain of command, but admitted that was not possible for now. "There is concrete information that the separatists' request was presented to the president, and that this request was granted," it said. But it added it was not known whether the request "explicitly mentions" the system used to shoot down MH17. Moscow - which has denied all involvement in the downing of the plane - dismissed those verdicts as "scandalous" and politically motivated.

International prosecutors say they have found "strong indications" Russian President Vladimir Putin approved the use of the Russian missile system that shot ...

International prosecutors say they have found "strong indications" Russian President Vladimir Putin approved the use of the Russian missile system that shot down MH17.

Investigators say while the chain of command to the Russian president is clear, he has immunity as head of state.

the person who is currently at a summit in France”. Of course, yes,” said Andy Kraag of the Dutch police, adding that “the answer remains in Russia”. Would we have liked to come further? The three men – Russians Igor Girkin and Sergei Dubinsky and Ukrainian Leonid Kharchenko — did not appear for the trial and are unlikely to ever serve their life sentences. As a head of state, Putin also has immunity. Some 196 of those who died in the crash were from the Netherlands and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said that while the JIT’s decision to suspend the inquiry was a “bitter disappointment”, the Dutch government would “continue to call the Russian Federation to account”.