On the ninth anniversary of the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, we pause to remember the 298 lives lost, and their loved ones.
Australia, along with our international partners, has made substantial progress in our pursuit for truth, justice and accountability over the last year.
In November 2022, the District Court of The Hague made unequivocal and conclusive findings of Russia’s involvement in the downing of Flight MH17, and findings of guilt against Igor Girkin, Sergey Dubinskiy and Leonid Kharchenko.
The findings and life sentences handed down by the Court were an important milestone in our collective efforts with the Netherlands to hold those responsible to account.
Following the finding, the Australian Government worked closely with the Netherlands and European Union to impose targeted financial sanctions and travel bans on persons involved in the downing of MH17.
The sanctions, announced last month, target Sergey Dubinskiy and Leonid Kharchenko, who were both found guilty by the District Court of The Hague. The third convicted perpetrator Igor Girkin, was sanctioned by Australia in 2014 for supporting separatist activity in eastern Ukraine.
Russia must take responsibility for the role it played in this horrific act of violence, and stop harbouring those who contributed to the downing of Flight MH17 and the murder of all on board.
Australia maintains that Russia is responsible under international law for the downing of Flight MH17.
Along with the Netherlands, Australia is pursuing justice through the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council.
Earlier this year, the ICAO Council in Montreal upheld the Council’s jurisdiction to hear Australia and the Netherlands’ case against Russia for the downing of Flight MH17.
Our thoughts remain with those who lost their lives, their families and loved ones