Russia has vetoed a UN Security Council resolution to set up an International Criminal Court (ICC) to prosecute those responsible for shooting down a Malaysian Airlines plane flying over Ukraine a year ago. The downing of the plane killed 298 people on board Flight MH 17. Ukraine and the West suspect that the plane was brought down by a surface-to-air missile fired by Russian soldiers or Russian backed separatist rebels. While Russia has denied these allegations, it put the blame on Ukraine saying it was shot down by a Ukraine missile or war plane.
The Netherlands, Australia, Ukraine, Malaysia and Belgium are the five countries investigating the incident. The Netherlands lost around 196 citizens, the maximum number of victims in the crash, while Australia lost 39 citizens. Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said, “The veto only compounds the atrocity.” The Kremlin quoted Putin as saying, “a tribunal would be ‘inexpedient’ because Russia still has a lot of questions about the investigation to which it had little access.”
The five investigating countries along with allies in the 15 member council said other legal options were available, though some acknowledged that a tribunal established by the council would remain the best option. According to reports, some members said they would pursue the matter again and push for setting up a tribunal.
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