MH17 investigation: Dutch Safety Board addressing procrastination issues

The Dutch Safety Board's international investigation team is now focused on the analysis of uncorroborated facts provided by the media, regarding procrastination in the Malaysia Airlines (MAS) Flight MH17 plane crash investigation.

Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry's international and press department deputy director, Maria Zakharova said the analysis was included on the incomplete removal of plane fragments from the disaster site for analysis.

She noted the 3D reconstruction of the parts vital to the investigation, as well as superficial analysis of the damage done to the airframe by high-speed objects, would also be analysed.

"The Dutch group of experts has not yet provided an answer regarding the provision of photographs from US satellites. Russian experts have had no opportunity to listen to the flight data recorders.

"Our numerous complaints include procrastination, which we consider unjustified, over the transfer of the Ukrainian air traffic controller tapes, which could help clarify the circumstances of the tragedy," she said in a statement here Tuesday.

The statement was in reply to the Russian News Agency, TASS regarding procrastination in the investigation of Flight MH17 which was believed to have been shot down in Ukraine while flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur last July 17.

All 298 passengers, including 44 Malaysians, died in the incident.

Zakharova also stressed that Russia had indicated an interest in the early completion of an objective investigation into the Flight MH17 crash and had been actively cooperating with the international expert team, besides sharing available information and offering expert assistance.