Cabinet: prosecution MH17-offenders in the Netherlands is possible

Gepubliceerd op 25 oktober 2016 om 11:40

The government is working on various options for prosecution and trial of the perpetrators of the downing of flight MH17. Writes Minister Ard van der Steur (Security and Justice) in a letter to parliament. No decision would be taken.

download-44.pngThe Ministry writes, on behalf of Minister Bert Koenders (Foreign Affairs), two options are elaborated. The first is a focus on international criminal tribunal for trial. The second option involves a national prosecution by one of the countries participating in the Joint Investigation Team (JIT). These are Australia, Belgium, Ukraine, Malaysia and the Netherlands. With the latter option would also take into account the possibility that the Netherlands is given the responsibility.

According to the government, both options are 'complex' and there are 'legal obstacles'. The premise of the government is to maximize the chances of an effective prosecution.

Criminal investigation
The flight Malaysia Airlines left on July 7, 2014 from Schiphol and was shot down over eastern Ukraine. There is a war zone where pro-Russian rebels fighting the Ukrainian army. The unit is shot down by a Buk missile from Russia . ,, There is no doubt, '' the JIT reported on September 28, when it presented the first results of the criminal investigation into the downing of MH17.

Defense Attorney and professor of international criminal law Geert-Jan Knoops said that the team still necessary legal obstacles had to overcome in order to proceed to a successful prosecution of the perpetrators. Professors criminal law stated earlier that the chances of prosecution 'very low' are.

By Editors AD: Photo: Reuters

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