Defendant Oleg Platov 'claims not to have any link' with MH17 downing, his lawyer says
Record ID:
1462706
Defendant Oleg Platov 'claims not to have any link' with MH17 downing, his lawyer says
- Title: Defendant Oleg Platov 'claims not to have any link' with MH17 downing, his lawyer says
- Date: 9th March 2020
- Summary: BADHOEVEDORP, THE NETHERLANDS (MARCH 9, 2020) (REUTERS) DISTRICT COURT SPOKESWOMAN YOLANDE WIJNOBEL AND SPOKESMAN PAUL ROUWEN AT NEWS CONFERENCE CAMERAMAN FILMING (SOUNDBITE) (Dutch) DISTRICT COURT SPOKESWOMAN, YOLANDE WIJNOBEL, SAYING: "This case now involves the four suspects whose names were mentioned this morning. We know the prosecution is still investigating. It may be that the public prosecutor wants to prosecute more suspects, that's up to the public prosecutor. The public prosecutor can then ask whether any suspects can still be added to this trial, but it is up to the court to decide whether this trial will be completed with four suspects or whether more suspects may be added." VARIOUS EXTERIORS OF COURT
- Embargoed: 23rd March 2020 17:09
- Keywords: Badhoevedorp Malaysia Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 plane crash Russia The Netherlands Ukraine criminal trial lawyer list names prosecutor victims
- Location: BADHOEVEDORP, THE NETHERLANDS
- City: BADHOEVEDORP, THE NETHERLANDS
- Country: Netherlands
- Topics: Crime/Law/Justice,Judicial Process/Court Cases/Court Decisions
- Reuters ID: LVA002C4C0M6F
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:The lawyer of a Russian man accused of taking part in the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 told a Dutch court on Monday (March 9) that her client, Oleg Pulatov, denied any connection with the missile strike that killed 298 people.
Lawyer Sabine ten Doesschate said Pulatov claims 'not to have any link with the bringing down of MH17.'
Prosecutors believe Pulatov, fellow Russians Sergey Dubinsky and Igor Girkin as well Ukrainian Leonid Kharchenko held senior posts in the pro-Russian militias in eastern Ukraine in 2014 at the time of the downing.
None of the accused in the disaster were present in the courtroom and all four are believed to be in Russia.
Prosecutors say the suspects helped supply the Russian missile system that downed the plane. Russian authorities have consistently denied any involvement in the missile strike.
The four defendants face preliminary charges for the murder of the crew and passengers and of causing the aircraft to crash, resulting in the death of all aboard.
Speaking at a news conference after the first day of the trial, court spokeswoman Yolande Wijnobel said more people could be indicted at a later stage of the trial.
A Dutch-led international Joint Investigation (JIT) team spent years collecting evidence before issuing arrest warrants for the four suspects last year. If convicted, the four men could face sentences of up to life in prison.
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