Marking 10 years since the horrific downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong has reignited her vow to hold Russia to account for the nearly 300 deaths. Source: News.com.au.
The passenger plane, travelling from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on July 17, 2014, was shot down by a Russian-made surface-to-air missile while flying over eastern Ukraine.
Investigations determined the plane crashed into the Russian-backed and rebel-controlled region of Donetsk, with the attack killing all 298 passengers and crew on the plane, including 38 Australians.
Among the Australians to die in the attack was Sr Philomene Tiernan RFCJ, 77.
In her speech, Senator Wong said the downing of the plan was “incomprehensible”, and promised to continue to pursue justice against Russia.
“On behalf of the Australian Government, I recommit, again, to our collective pursuit of truth, justice and accountability for the outrages perpetrated on July 17, 2014,” she said.
“I recommit to our ongoing partnership with the Netherlands, which lost nearly 200 nationals, with Malaysia, Belgium and Ukraine.
“Today, we stand with you in your grief and we say to you, it is not your sorrow to bear alone. We stand with you, and we will not forget those we lost on MH17.”
She made the comments at yesterday’s ceremony commemorating the deaths alongside family and friends of the victims, Governor-General Sam Mostyn, and Tony Abbott and Julie Bishop who were prime minister and foreign minister at the time of the downing.
In 2022, three men: Igor Girkin, Sergey Dubinskiy, and Leonid Kharchenko, were convicted and given life sentences in absentia by a Dutch Court, however they have never been extradited.
About 1500 people filled the Great Hall at Parliament House in Canberra for the ceremony, before families were invited to a private wreath-laying ceremony at the MH17 memorial plaque.
FULL STORY
Foreign Minister Penny Wong reignites promise to hold Russia to account over MH17 downing (By Jessica Wang, News.com.au)
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