On anniversary of downing of Flight MH17, EU calls for holding those responsible to account

EU High Representative Josep Borrell said this in a statement published on the website of the European Council, Ukrinform reports.

“Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is a painful reminder of what happened eight years ago to the 298 people on board Flight MH17 and it strengthens the need to establish accountability. Recalling its previous statements, the European Union takes note of all legal proceedings that are taking place in this regard and expects Russia to accept its responsibility and to fully cooperate with efforts to establish accountability,” Borrell said.

As Ukrinform reported, the last court hearing in the case of the downed Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was held in the Netherlands on June 10.

Presiding Judge Hendrik Steenhuis announced the next hearing would take place on September 22 at 10:00 local time, but would be formal. At that hearing, the court is expected to state when the judgment might be delivered. According to him, the court needs time to consider all the arguments, and the next probable date of hearing is November 17 or December 15, 2022.

Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was shot down over occupied area of Donetsk region on July 17, 2014. There were 283 passengers and 15 crew members on board. All of them died. The international Joint Investigation Team reported that the plane had been shot down from a Buk missile system that belonged to the 53rd Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces stationed in Kursk.

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