Malaysia seeks international tribunal over MH17 crash

Malaysia is calling for an international tribunal to be set up in order to prosecute those suspected of having shot down flight MH17 last year. 

 

The plane, which had been flying over territory held by pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine, is believed to have been taken down by anti-aircraft missiles. Separatist leaders have denied accusations they used an anti-aircraft missile to shoot down the plane.

 

All 298 people on board died in the crash. 

 

A multinational investigation led by the Netherlands has been looking into the crash, and a preliminary report said the plane broke up after being penetrated by "high-energy objects".

 

But now Malaysia – with support from several other countries including Australia, the Netherlands, Belgium and Ukraine – is seeking criminal proceedings. 

 

New Zealand's UN ambassador Gerard van Bohemen, president of the UN Security Council for July, said Malaysia had "briefed the council members this morning of their intention to present a resolution in relation to MH17".

 

"They are seeking to find a mechanism to deal with criminal accountability in relation to the downing of the aircraft."

 

Russia's deputy foreign minister Gennady Gatilov has called the plan "not timely and counterproductive," according to AFP.

 

Parts of the plane were found 8km (5 miles) from the main debris site

 

Most of the passengers on the flight were Dutch, but there were also Malaysians, Australians and Britons on board, among others.

 

Russia has consistently claimed that it was Ukrainian forces, not the rebels, that brought down flight MH17.