MH17 tribunal investigation plan 'untimely and counterproductive' - Russia

Russia has described the UN resolution on establishing an international tribunal to prosecute those behind the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 over Ukraine as “untimely and counterproductive”.

Russia’s stand on the proposal comes after a meeting with the foreign ministers of Australia, Belgium, the Netherlands, Ukraine and Malaysia -- all member countries of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) -- with Russia’s deputy foreign minister Gennady Gatilov.

In a statement issued by Russia’s Foreign Ministry, it expressed deep condolences regarding the tragedy which claimed the lives of 283 passengers and 15 crew members.

“At the same time, he (Gatilov) stated that the proposal for an international tribunal on the MH17 disaster was untimely and counterproductive,” said the statement.

The statement added that Russia has many other serious questions and complaints regarding the investigation’s organisation and procedure, in particular, inadequate compliance with the rules and standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

“He drew the attention of his colleagues to Russia’s serious questions, in particular concerning the weak arguments and attempts to prevent Russia from taking a comprehensive part in the investigation.

“It was stressed that Russian experts have been essentially denied equal and full access to materials at the disposal of the international technical investigators.

“Russian experts, who have substantial experience in investigating air crashes and thorough knowledge in aircraft and missile manufacturing, as well as technical opportunities for making the necessary examinations, could provide substantial assistance to the investigation,” it said.

It also mentioned that Russia’s proposals for organising an international investigation in a maximally transparent manner and for using the UN Security Council machinery for this purpose were rejected.

Russia added, no international tribunal has been established so far for the criminal persecution of those responsible for the actions aimed at civil aircraft.

“No one has proposed establishing a tribunal to investigate the crash of an Iranian liner downed over the Persian Gulf in 1988 or a Russian passenger liner of S7 Airlines in 2001,” said the statement.

On July 8, Malaysia circulated a draft UN resolution on establishing an international tribunal that it said would guarantee an independent trial for those behind the downing of flight MH17 over Ukraine.

A draft resolution obtained by AFP calls for establishing the tribunal under chapter 7 of the UN charter, which means that the court's efforts to prosecute those responsible could be enforced by sanctions.

After the tragedy, suspicions immediately turned to pro-Russian separatists in east Ukraine who may have used a surface-to-air missile supplied by Russia to shoot down the plane.

The tribunal would be "an effective guarantee for an independent and impartial accountability process," the draft resolution said.

The text describes the downing of the plane as "a threat to international peace and security" and decides that all states should cooperate fully with the tribunal.

A final report on the Dutch-led investigation is expected in October.