KL committed to seeking justice for MH17 victims

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia said it is committed to giving its support to efforts to bring those responsible for the shooting down of MH17 to justice.

It said it remained steadfast in its position that it would like to see all evidence made public and that the judicial process was conducted fairly, unaffected by political pressure, to ensure justice prevailed.

“Malaysia reiterates its commitment to bring the perpetrators of this inhumane crime to justice.

“Not only because everyone involved deserves to see justice, but it will also bring comfort and peace of mind to the next of kin of those who were lost in the tragedy,” said the Transport Ministry yesterday.

The ministry said Malaysia believed and hoped that the Covid-19 pandemic would not become an obstacle to the efforts to uphold justice for the victims.

“Our thoughts and prayers are always with the victims and their loved ones.”

It hoped that the victims’ friends and families remained strong and resilient.

Yesterday marked the seventh anniversary of the shooting down of flight MH17 over Donetsk in eastern Ukraine.

In the incident, 283 passengers and 15 crew members of the Malaysia Airlines flight were killed.

The Boeing 777 jet was travelling from Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport to Kuala Lumpur when it was shot down over a part of eastern Ukraine controlled by proRussian rebels.

An international investigation concluded that a BUK missile that had originally come from the Russian army’s 53rd Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade based in the city of Kursk was responsible.

Russian nationals Oleg Pulatov, Igor Girkin and Sergei Dubinsky, and Ukrainian Leonid Kharchenko were charged with murder.

All four suspects are accused of being key figures among the separatist rebels battling Kiev.

Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) reiterates its full support for efforts to establish the truth behind the incident, achieving justice for the victims and their next of kin, as well as holding those responsible to account, in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2166.

The EU said it took note of all steps that were taken in this regard and expected Russia to accept responsibility and to cooperate fully with efforts to establish accountability.

“This includes through the trilateral negotiations between Australia, the Netherlands and the Russian Federation with regard to the downing of flight MH17,” said the Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the EU.

Our thoughts and prayers are always with the victims and their loved ones. TRANSPORT MINISTRY