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Russia to Veto UNSC Vote on MH17 Tribunal

Russia to Veto UNSC Vote on MH17 Tribunal
Russia to Veto UNSC Vote on MH17 Tribunal

Russia looks set to veto next week’s UN Security Council vote for a tribunal to prosecute those suspected of downing the Malaysia Airlines passenger plane over Ukraine last year.

The vote on the proposal by Malaysia, Australia, the Netherlands and Ukraine to create an international tribunal is set for Wednesday afternoon. The resolution would require all countries to cooperate with the special tribunal or face sanctions, DW reported.

But on Friday, Russian UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin rebuffed the proposal.

“This is not a proper thing for the council to do because it’s not a case of a threat to international peace and security.”

The plane crashed in territory held by the separatists, killing all 298 people on board. A majority of passengers on the MH17 flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur were Dutch.

Russia has objected to the formation of a tribunal, calling instead for the completion of an ongoing investigation, with conclusions expected in October.

In July 2014, the Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution, which demanded that those responsible “be held to account and that all states cooperate fully with efforts to establish accountability.”

Led by the Dutch, Malaysia, Australia, Belgium and Ukraine are conducting a criminal inquiry into the downing of flight MH17.

The Dutch Safety Board is expected to issue a final report on the cause of the crash in October.

 

Financialtribune.com