Legislation clears way for MH17 trials in the Netherlands

The Dutch government has sent legislation to Parliament that clears the way for prosecution in the Netherlands of any suspects identified in the long-running investigation into the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over Ukraine. The justice ministry said in a statement Wednesday that the legislation will make it possible for foreign suspects to be tried in a Dutch court in The Hague, including by video links if they aren't extradited. An international criminal probe concluded in 2016 that a missile which destroyed the Malaysian passenger jet and killed all 298 people aboard was fired from rebel-controlled territory in Ukraine by a mobile launcher trucked in from Russia and hastily returned there. Investigations are continuing into the identities of those responsible. No indictments have yet been issued.