Anthony Albanese has vowed Australia won’t again down from pursuing Vladimir Putin’s hyperlinks to the downing of MH17, labelling the Russian President a “reprehensible” individual.
Overnight, representatives from the Joint Investigation Team, which included representatives from Australia, the Netherlands, Malaysia, Belgium and Ukraine, offered proof that “strongly” pointed to Mr Putin approving the usage of a missile system that shot down the flight over Ukraine.
They didn’t counsel Mr Putin ordered the plane to be shot down and prosecutors had been cautious to not label the Russian president as a suspect.
But investigations had been suspended as a result of Russia’s refusal to co-operate with the investigation and Mr Putin’s immunity underneath worldwide regulation as a head of state.
Speaking outdoors of a childcare centre in Canberra, Mr Albanese didn’t mince his phrases when he was requested if he had a message for the Russian President.
“I’d say that ‘you are reprehensible’,” the Prime Minister responded.
“Clearly, the shooting down of MH17 was an act of terrorism that had impact here in Australia but for many other countries as well. We will continue to pursue these issues with every avenue at our disposal.”
All 298 individuals on board the Malaysian Airlines flight, together with 38 Australians, had been killed when it was shot down over japanese Ukraine 9 years in the past.
The industrial jet was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it was struck by a BUK missile that was fired by pro-Russia separatists.
The Russian authorities denies any involvement within the incident and has refused to co-operate with the investigation.
Mr Albanese mentioned Australia would proceed to push for these accountable to be held to account.
“This is a guy (Putin) who runs an authoritarian regime that doesn’t care about human rights, that doesn’t care about devastation of communities, whether it be in Ukraine, whether it be the oppression of his own citizens, or whether it be acts outside of Russia, of which we’ve seen a number,” the Prime Minister added.
“The travesty of MH17 is an issue in which you should be held to account and Australia will continue to pursue all of these issues with every avenue at our disposal.”
Opposition overseas affairs spokesperson Simon Birmingham mentioned it was “tragic” Russia had continued to keep away from engagement with the justice course of.
“We have seen the prosecution of a number of individuals but tragically, Russia has always sought to avoid any engagement in the proper processes that have been undertaken by authorities in the Netherlands and elsewhere, to try and bring people to justice for this,” he instructed ABC’s RN.
“This is a terrible, tragic reminder that what we have seen in Ukraine over the last year, and indeed since the annexation of Crimea, has been going on for a longer period of time than just these 12 months.
“The types of actions undertaken by Russia have been reprehensible, endangered life and caused the loss of life in significant numbers, including of those Australians – tragically – who were on MH17.”
While the investigation is suspended, investigators mentioned it may very well be reopened ought to new proof come to mild.
“Our next answers, they lay in Russia. And as long as there is no co-operation, the answers will remain there,” Dutch investigator Andy Kraag mentioned.
Source: www.news.com.au
