World

MH17 plane crash trial starts, who will be held responsible?

Published

1 year ago

June 7, 2021

Anthony Lucas

Dutch judges will begin to hear evidence on the downing of the Malaysia Airlines flight.

The critical stage of a trial over the downing of Malaysian Airlines MH17 is set to begin.

Families of those who died in the 2014 tragedy have spoken of their heartache as details prepare to be handed down.

MH17 was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it was shot down by a missile.

#MH17 silent protest 2021 pic.twitter.com/aWkluTijK6
— Thomas Schansman (@ThomasSchansman) June 6, 2021

Investigators believe the missile was fired from territory held by pro-Russian rebels during fighting with Ukrainian government troops.

All 298 people on board were killed, two-thirds of them Dutch nationals.

Dutch judges overseeing the murder trial of three Russian men and another from Ukraine will summarise evidence at the hearing in a high-security courtroom in Amsterdam.

“The court will open the MH17 criminal trial proper and, through examining and discussing the content of the prosecution file, elucidate the key questions which it has already begun to address,”
the court said in a statement.

Court proceedings officially began in March 2020 with discussions over the admissibility of evidence.

The trial phase:

The trial will start with hearings looking at the evidence and the investigation into the crash.

The defensee and prosecution will be granted time to discuss any conflicting information or issues, lasting until July 9, 2021.

Relatives of the victims will be allowed to address the court in what is understood will be an opportunity to give victim impact statements at some point in September.

A piece of the MH17 wreckage is lifted at the crash site in Donetsk, Ukraine. File photo: Reuters

The men on trial:

Three Russian nationals and one Ukrainian citizen are on trial for the downing of the Malaysian Airlines jet.

The tragic day of the downing of MH17:

The Malaysian Airlines Boeing 777 jet was en route from Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.

Investigators revealed the plane was shot down as it flew over a part of eastern Ukraine that is under the control of pro-Russian rebels.

All 298 people on board — including 196 Dutch citizens perished in the crash.

World

Four dead in Russian military plane crash

Published

23 hours ago

June 24, 2022

Costa Haritos

Four people have been killed after a Russian military plane suffered an engine malfunction

The plane reportedly crashed in the city of Ryazan, which is located southeast of Moscow.

It’s believed five others are also injured. However, it is unclear how many were on board.

The Ilyushin IL-76 military cargo plane is a long-range aircraft, which can reportedly carry over 100 troops.

An Ilyushin IL-76 aircraft, which is similar to the one involved in the incident.

Local authorities say the plane suffered a malfunction while on a training flight.

Russia’s Defence Minister is yet to give any further details on the crash, or about the victims.

World

Double election defeat for UK Conservatives

Published

1 day ago

June 24, 2022

Costa Haritos

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Conservatives have suffered defeat in two parliamentary by-elections

UK Conservatives have lost two crucial seats in England, which could spark concerns about Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s future.

The centrist Liberal Democrat party won the seats of Tiverton and Honiton.

The seats are in a Conservative part of south-west England, where a majority of 24,000 has been overturned.

The Liberal Democrats say it is their biggest ever majority turn around at a parliamentary by election.

“Tonight, the people of Tiverton and Honiton have spoken for Britain. They’ve sent a loud and clear message: It’s time for Boris Johnson to go, and go now.”
winning candidate Richard Foord

The losses have renewed calls for Prime Minister Boris Johnson to resign after a police investigation into gatherings at his Downing Street offices.

Johnson recently survived a vote of no-confidence, which secured his term as Prime Minister for another 12 months.

It also follows the Conservatives winning a landslide majority in three decades during the last national election.

World

Protestors disrupt Chinese ambassador’s speech in Sydney

Published

1 day ago

June 24, 2022

Costa Haritos

Protesters are causing disruptions during an address by China’s Ambassador to Australia

Xiao Qian is in Sydney, where is he speaking about how to improve ties between the two countries.

One protester described Mr Xiao as a “representative of a dictatorship” and accused the Chinese Government of committing genocide against Uyghur Muslims.

Others were heard shouting “Free Tibet”, and another was asked to leave the venue prior to the event because he was dressed in a military costume.

The speech was widely seen as an attempt to ease relations between the two countries.

China has put trade sanctions on Australia, while a recent encounter took place between a Chinese fighter jet and an Australian maritime aircraft over the South China Sea.

Security guards reportedly ushered the protesters.