According to international investigators, there are “clear evidence” that Russian President Vladimir Putin personally approved the procurement of the missile that shot down Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over Ukraine in 2014. However, the team stated they were stopping their investigation into the catastrophe because there was not enough evidence to charge further people and Putin enjoys immunity as president of state.
A Russian-made missile crashed the Amsterdam-Kuala Lumpur flight in separatist-held eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 persons on board. Dutch prosecutor Digna van Boetzelaer claimed, “There are solid evidence that a presidential level, by President Putin, to deliver… the Buk TELAR” missile system.
“Although we speak about significant signs, the high standard of comprehensive and clear proof is not attained,” she told a Hague press conference. A Dutch court convicted two Russians and a Ukrainian in absentia for the downing of MH17 less than three months prior.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte called the decision a “deep sadness” but pledged to “bring the Russian Federation to account.” Russia denies MH17 downing. It called last year’s three-man conviction “scandalous” and politically motivated.
The Joint Investigation Team examining the MH17 crash—the Netherlands, Malaysia, Australia, Belgium, and Ukraine—said the line of command was clear. They said Putin was at a D-Day celebration in France in June 2014, so Russian officials delayed sending weaponry to Ukrainian insurgents.
An adviser said the delay was “because there is only one who makes a choice…, the one who is now at a summit in France” in an intercepted call. Putin reportedly discussed a “military component” with a Luhansk rebel commander. “This was ultimately the president’s choice,” they stated.
The investigation has stalled due to Moscow’s inaction and a lack of witnesses. “All leads have been explored,” van Boetzelaer stated.
Putin was untouchable—for now. “As head of state, the president of the Russian Federation possesses at least immunity under international law,” the Dutch prosecutor said.
The catastrophe killed 196 Dutch, 43 Malaysians, and 38 Australians from 10 nations, prompting worldwide indignation and penalties against Russia. Victims’ families were unhappy by the investigation’s suspension.
“We had hoped for more—but we didn’t depend on it,” said MH17 foundation chairman Piet Ploeg, who lost his brother, sister-in-law, and nephew on MH17. Investigators felt they had accomplished more than expected in 2014.
“Should we have gone further? “The solution remains in Russia,” claimed Dutch National Criminal Investigation Department chief Andy Kraag.” On Thursday, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus claimed Russia had repeatedly obstructed the probe, making it “difficult” to gather evidence.
“Russia’s unlawful and unethical invasion of Ukraine and its lack of cooperation with the probe have rendered continued investigative activities and the acquisition of evidence impossible,” they said in a joint statement.
Australia would “bring Russia to account for its participation in the downing of the civilian aircraft.” Officials said the MH17 inquiry will keep its hotlines and website available.
The International Criminal Court and the European Court of Human Rights, which has found most Netherlands complaints against Russia acceptable, might utilise its evidence.
Russians Igor Girkin and Sergei Dubinsky and Ukrainian Leonid Kharchenko, convicted last year, are still at free and unlikely to fulfil their life sentences.
Girkin has now been a prominent opponent of Russia’s military actions in Ukraine, particularly its withdrawals.
Info Source : The Moscow Times