According to international investigators, Russian President Vladimir Putin played an active role in the downing of flight MH17 in July 2014. There are “strong indications” that Putin ordered the missiles of the type book deliver to eastern Ukraine.
However, investigators said there was insufficient evidence to prosecute. In addition, Putin enjoys immunity through his office.
The Boeing 777 Malaysia Airlines was en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur over contested territory in eastern Ukraine on July 17, 2014 with a type missile book been shot down. All passengers and crew members, 298 people, died at that time. In November, a Dutch criminal court found three former high-ranking pro-Russian separatists guilty.
Russia has always denied any involvement in the Boeing downing. Investigators said there was insufficient evidence against other suspects either. Therefore, the investigation would be temporarily suspended. “We have reached our limits.”
Editor’s note: An earlier version of the text said, “There is ‘strong evidence’ that the decision came from President Putin.” This could create the misleading impression that Putin ordered the downing of MH17. In fact, the sentence referred to the order to deliver the weapons to eastern Ukraine.