Russia opposes MH17 tribunal move

The investigations into the downing of MH17 are likely to go on until the end of the year Prime Minister Najib Razak said here adding that?the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) now had a clearer picture of the cause of the tragedy.

Kuala Lumpur: Prime Minister Najib Razak on Saturday said that the investigations into the crash of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in eastern Ukraine previous year will continue till the end of 2016. All 298 people on board the aircraft died in the crash.

Najib said Malaysia was committed and was co-operating in both the criminal and technical investigations to get to the truth for the sake of families and friends of victims.

The council would “establish an international tribunal for the sole purpose of prosecuting persons responsible for crimes connected with the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 on 17 July 2014”, reads the draft text.

July 17 marks the first anniversary of the tragedy – investigators are said to be focusing on the theory that Russian-backed militant forces occupying east Ukraine fired a BUK surface-to-air missile to destroy the plane. “I want maybe penalize or anything”.

Rita Phang, 62, lost her cousin when the plane was downed. Many cried and became emotional when the names of the passengers scrolled across screens in tribute to the dead.

“Therefore, the ultimate action in finding who was responsible and bring them to justice must be carried out”, he said.

Russia’s deputy UN Ambassador Petr Iliichev told reporters Thursday that Russian Federation is opposed to the resolution.

The Security Council would be required to approve the tribunal as proposed by Malaysia, the Netherlands and other countries that are working together on the investigation into the crash.

The resolution and criminal tribunal involves the collaboration between Malaysia, Australia, Holland, Belgium, Ukraine, he said, adding The document has been submitted to 15 United Nations members for the voting process to be conducted.

Just four months prior to the MH17 incident, Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 vanished without a trace with 239 people on board after its communications systems were apparently deliberately shut off, becoming one of aviation’s enduring mysteries.