Families demand justice for air deaths
Emotional ceremony as new memorial unveiled
THE FATHER of two siblings killed when Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was shot down over Ukraine three years ago has said relatives of the 298 people killed would not rest until those responsible face justice.
At an emotional ceremony marking three years since MH17 was shot down, Evert van Zijtveld said a group representing victims’ families “shall not give up and shall not be silenced until those who are responsible have been brought to justice”.
As Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima and some 2,000 friends and relatives of victims gathered at a new memorial, Mr van Zijtveld said the loss of his 19-year-old daughter Frederique and 18-year-old son Robert-Jan “left a hole in our hearts”.
The commemoration came as international investigators continue their painstaking probe aimed at prosecuting those responsible for shooting down the plane and killing all the passengers and crew.
The Boeing 777 was destroyed by a Buk missile on July 17 2014 over conflict-torn eastern Ukraine.
The international criminal probe has concluded that the missile was fired from rebelcontrolled territory by a mobile launcher that was moved across the border from Russia. Russia has denounced the conclusions as politically biased.
Investigators last year said they had pinpointed 100 people they want to speak to who are believed to have been involved.
Nations involved in the probe have agreed to prosecute any suspects in the Netherlands.
The European Union foreign affairs chief, Federica Mogherini, called for international cooperation in the hunt for the perpetrators.
“To ensure that those responsible for the downing of MH17 are held accountable and brought to justice, the criminal investigation needs the continuing support of the international community,” she said in a statement.
The monument is close to Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, from which MH17 departed on its way to Kuala Lumpur.
The criminal investigation needs continuing international support. The European Union foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini.