2015-07-30 10:00:00

Russia vetoes international tribunal for MH17 crash


(Vatican Radio)  Russia has used its veto at the United Nations Security Council to block a draft resolution for the establishment of an international tribunal into the MH17 air disaster in July 2014. Several countries have expressed outrage over Russia's decision, as the downing of the plane over Ukraine killed nearly 300 people.

Listen to Stefan Bos' report:

Russia was the only country at the 15-member UN Security Council to oppose an international tribunal during an emotionally charged meeting of the grouping in New York.

Russia's UN ambassador Vitaly Churkin was quick to defend his country's actions. He said a criminal prosecutions would have been carried out in a "closed fashion".

"It was said that agreement was reached between 5 sides on non disseminated information. What are the grounds to be assured of the impartiality of the investigation?" he wondered.

He also criticized "aggressive propaganda" and claimed Russian investigators had been denied equal access to the crash site.

Eastern Ukraine crash

The Malaysian Airlines flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur crashed in eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board. Pro-Russian separatists in the area have denied shooting down the aircraft.

Western nations and Ukraine say there is evidence it was hit by a Russian-supplied Buk anti-aircraft missile - a claim also denied by Russia.

Speaking at the United Nations, Malaysia's Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai expressed frustration over Russia's veto. "Malaysia deeply regrets the failure of the Security Council, to maintain unity on the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH 17," he said.

The Netherlands, which lost most victims in the tragedy, also expressed its disappointment.

Investigation pledge

Despite the vote, an angry United States ambassador to the U.N., Samantha Power, pledged that an international investigation would continue. 

"So while we are outraged and gravely disappointed by the outcome of this vote, today we say to those families no veto will stand in the way of this heinous crime being investigated and prosecuted and no veto will weaken our unshakable commitment to you to ensure that you and your loved ones have the justice that you deserve.

The vote in the UN has underscored the biggest East-West confrontation over the conflict in Ukraine since the Cold War.

The United Nations estimates that fighting between Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian separatists have killed more than 6,500 people.








All the contents on this site are copyrighted ©.