Putin cops Albo spray

Anger over ‘reprehensible’ President’s MH17 links

ANTHONY Albanese has vowed Australia will not back down from pursuing Vladimir Putin’s links to the downing of MH17, labelling the Russian President a “reprehensible” person.

It comes after the Joint Investigation Team, which includes representatives from Australia, the Netherlands, Malaysia, Belgium and Ukraine, presented evidence “strongly” pointing to Mr Putin approving the use of a missile system that shot down the flight over Ukraine.

They did not suggest Mr Putin ordered the aircraft to be shot down and prosecutors were careful not to label the Russian President as a suspect.

But investigations were suspended due to Russia’s refusal to co-operate with the investigation and Mr Putin’s immunity under international law as a head of state.

Speaking in Canberra on Thursday, Mr Albanese did not mince his words when he was asked if he had a message for the Russian President.

“I’d say that ‘you are reprehensible’,” the Prime Minister responded. “Clearly, the shooting down of MH17 was an act of terrorism that had impact here in Australia but for many other countries as well. We will continue to pursue these issues with every avenue at our disposal.”

All 298 people on board the Malaysian Airlines flight, including 38 Australians, were killed when it was shot down over Ukraine nine years ago.

The commercial jet was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it was struck by a BUK missile that was fired by pro-Russia separatists.

Russia denies any involvement and has refused to co-operate with the investigation.

Mr Albanese said Australia would continue to push for those responsible to be held to account.

“This is a guy (Mr Putin) who runs an authoritarian regime that doesn't care about human rights, that doesn’t care about devastation of communities, whether it be in Ukraine, whether it be the oppression of his own citizens, or whether it be acts outside of Russia, of which we’ve seen a number,” the Prime Minister said. “The travesty of MH17 is an issue in which you should be held to account and Australia will continue to pursue all of these issues with every avenue at our disposal.”

Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham said it was “tragic” Russia had continued to avoid the justice process. “We have seen the prosecution of a number of individuals but tragically, Russia has always sought to avoid any engagement in the proper processes that have been undertaken by authorities in the Netherlands and elsewhere, to try and bring people to justice for this,” he said.

“This is a terrible, tragic reminder that what we have seen in Ukraine over the last year, and indeed since the annexation of Crimea, has been going on for a longer period of time than just these 12 months.

“The types of actions undertaken by Russia have been reprehensible, endangered life and caused the loss of life in significant numbers, including of those Australians – tragically – who were on MH17.”

While the investigation is suspended, investigators said it could be reopened should new evidence come to light.

“Our next answers, they lay in Russia. And as long as there is no co-operation, the answers will remain there,” Dutch investigator Andy Kraag said.