Missile tracked by tapped phone calls
TAPPED phone calls and images posted on social media helped investigators determine missiles were driven from Russia into eastern Ukraine before one was fired and downed flight MH17 with the loss of 298 lives.
Among those who died after the Russian-made BUK surface-to-air missile exploded next to Malaysian Airlines flight 17 on July 17, 2014, were 38 Australian residents.
Families of victims heard evidence from the international team of investigators, including Australians, at Nieuwegein in the Netherlands.
Dutch chief prosecutor Fred Westerbeke said about 100 people had been identified as linked to the transport and firing of the missile.
The joint investigation team was confident that “good investigation” would lead to tracing and prosecuting the key perpetrators among those 100, Mr Westerbecke said.
Dutch head of criminal investigation Wilbert Paulissen outlined how tapped phone calls of Russianspeaking operatives helped investigators determine the track of the missile launcher by truck from Russia.
Social media posted by locals also included photos and videos of the launcher under a camouflage net being transported before it was unloaded and driven to a field near the village of Snizhne.
Witnesses also gave evidence about the launcher’s journey and the firing of the BUK 9M-38 series missile, including reports of a loud bang and images of a long smoke trail in the sky.
On tapped calls provided by Ukrainian security authorities, men on the rebel side can be heard talking of the need for anti-aircraft missiles to defend against Ukrainian air attacks.
A later phone tap heard talk of the airliner crash and an admission that “it was our territory for sure”.
“We have no doubt whatsoever that the evidence we are presenting today is accurate,” Mr Paulissen said.
Dutchman Dennis Schouten, who lost his brother-inlaw, said the evidence showed “the Russian Federation is now a part of this crime”.
Russia has consistently rejected allegations a Russian unit or rebels fired the missile and on Monday the Russian military said radio-location data showed it was not fired from rebel-held positions.
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said the findings showed the investigation had made significant progress and the countries involved were united in their resolve to ensure those responsible were held to account.
“While we cannot take away the grief of those who lost their loved ones that day, we can do everything possible to ensure justice is done independently, fairly and transparently,” Ms Bishop said.