UN aviation council to hear case against Russia over downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17

The foreign ministers of Australia and the Netherlands announced that the United Nations aviation council voted on Friday to hear a case against Russia regarding the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17.

Australia and the Netherlands jointly initiated the legal action related to the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in 2020.

According to international investigators and prosecutors, a Russian-made surface-to-air missile struck the passenger jet over rebel-held eastern Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of all 298 people on board.

Australia has stated that Russia is accountable under international law for the downing of MH17, and that bringing the case to the attention of the ICAO is a positive step towards seeking justice for the victims, including 38 Australians who lost their lives.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced in a written statement that the ICAO confirmed its authority to hear the case during a session held on Friday.

Russia has consistently denied any involvement in the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, and as of now, Russia’s ICAO delegation has not commented on the latest development.

However, some experts believe that initiating the case at ICAO could be a tactic to pressure Russia into engaging in negotiations over the incident. The outcome of the case at ICAO remains uncertain at this time.

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