Dutch prosecutors: Russia wants to thwart MH17 investigation

A Dutch prosecutor said Tuesday that re are “strong indications” Russia wants to undermine investigations into downing of Malaysia Flight 17 and told judges at trial of four suspects that many witnesses fear for ir safety.

Prosecutor Thijs Berger me statement on second day of trial of three Russians and a Ukrainian charged with murder of all 298 passengers and crew killed when a missile shot down Amsterdam-to-Kuala Lumpur flight on July 17, 2014. ne of suspects were present.

Prosecutors allege that a Russian Buk missile shot down flight from an agricultural field in a region of eastern Ukraine controlled by pro-Moscow rebel forces. Russia denies any involvement in downing.

Berger told judges that re was evidence Russian intelligence nts attempted to hack into computers of Malaysian and Dutch investigations into downing of MH17.

“This information casts a dark show over se proceedings,” he said. “re are strong indications that Russian government is very keen to thwart this investigation and that it is t averse to deploying Russian security services to this end. se Russian security services have been accused of multiple murders in recent years committed in various European countries.”

Ar prosecutor, Dedy Woei-a-Tsoi, told judges that “every effort will have to be me to hear witnesses safely.”

In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined comment on trial, saying that Russia h t been involved in international investigation.

Hearings this week are taking stock of progress in international investigation. examination of evidence — likely including a visit to wreck of plane that was pieced toger in a hangar on a Dutch military base — could start later this year, or in 2021.

After years of investigations, an international team of investigators and prosecutors last year named four suspects: Russians Igor Girkin, Sergey Dubinskiy and Oleg Pulatov as well as Ukrainian Leonid Kharchenko. More suspects could face charges as investigations continue.

ne are attending trial. Only Pulatov has Dutch lawyers representing him in court.

About 20 family members were present in courtroom for Tuesday’s hearings and more followed case at a conference center near central city of Utrecht via a video link.

Brian and Lisa Clincy, flew from Australia to be present. Brian lost his bror and sister-in-law in downing of MH17.

“We’ve come here to try and make sure that justice is going to be followed and that truth comes out as to what actually happened,” Brian said.