Today marks exactly ten years since the crash of Malaysia Airlines MH17. The EU issued a statement calling on the Russian Federation to take responsibility and cooperate in the administration of justice.
Writes UNN with reference to The European Council.
On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the crash of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, the European Union recalled the evidence presented in the Dutch District Court, which was referred to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
(The facts) prove conclusively that the BUK surface-to-air missile system used to shoot down flight MH17 belonged beyond any doubt to the armed forces of the Russian Federation. No Russian disinformation operation can divert attention from these basic facts established by the court.
The statement reads as follows:
Ukraine: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the crash of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17.
On July 17, we honor the memory of the 298 innocent people, including 80 children, of 17 nationalities, who lost their lives in the crash of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 ten years ago. Ten years of remembrance is associated with painful memories. We extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims.
The European Union reiterates its full support for all efforts for truth, justice and accountability in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2166.
On November 17, 2022, the District Court of The Hague sentenced three men to life imprisonment for their role in the shooting down of flight MH17. The European Union stresses that the evidence presented by the Joint Investigation Team in the proceedings before the District Court of the Netherlands, as well as referred to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), conclusively proves that the BUK surface-to-air missile system used to shoot down flight MH17 belonged beyond any doubt to the armed forces of the Russian Federation. No Russian disinformation operation can divert attention from these basic facts established by the court.
The European Union reiterates its call on the Russian Federation to take responsibility for this tragedy and to cooperate fully in the administration of justice.
The European Union takes note of the proceedings initiated by the Netherlands against the Russian Federation before the ECtHR, as well as the proceedings initiated by Australia and the Netherlands before the ICAO Council, which are important steps towards achieving truth, justice and accountability.
Recall
On July 17, 2014, a missile hit a Boeing on flight MH17 in the skies above Donbass, where fighting was already underway between separatists supported by the Russian Federation and defenders of Ukraine. None of the 298 people on board survived. In November 2022, a court in The Hague sentenced rf citizens Igor Girkin, Sergei Dubinsky, and Ukrainian citizen Leonid Kharchenko to life in prison for their role in the crash of the Malaysian Boeing 777.
According to European diplomatic chief Josep Borrell, the evidence presented during the trial "clearly shows that the Buk surface-to-air missile system used to shoot down flight MH17 belonged beyond any doubt to the armed forces of the Russian Federation".
Supplement
Today at the monument in Wijfhuizen (Netherlands) will honor the memory of the MH17 crash. During the ceremony, a two-minute minute's silence will be declared in memory of the victims. In coordination with the organization Stichting Nabestaanden MH17, it was decided to temporarily stop air traffic on the nearby Polderbaan of Schiphol Airport from 15:00 to 15:45 to allow for the memorial ceremony, writes 112nieuws.
King Willem-Alexander and Prime Minister Dick Schoof will attend the ceremony, the Prime Minister will deliver a speech.