Hearings in the cases against all the accused will resume on 7 June 2021 at 10.00 hours. On that day the hearing on the merits will begin in the MH17 criminal proceedings.
More general topics will be covered on that first day. The investigation by the examining magistrate will be discussed, and remarks may be made about the inspection. The court will also deliver an introduction to the discussion of the case file over the following days.
The court open the MH17 criminal trial proper and, through examining and discussing the content of the prosecution file, to elucidate the key questions which it has already begun to address:
• Was flight MH17 shot down by a BUK missile?
• Was a BUK missile fired from an agricultural field near Pervomaiskyi?
• Did the accused play a role in this?
The personal circumstances of the accused will also be discussed insofar as relevant information is available in the prosecution file.
The court is expected to be able to discuss the case file in three days, on 8, 9 and 10 June 2021. In the process, the court will conduct a summary discussion of the documents in the case file. Friday 11 June 2021 has been scheduled as an extension day.
Afterwards the prosecution will have the opportunity to discuss sections of the case file on 17 and 18 June 2021. The defence may subsequently be given the opportunity to discuss sections of the case file they deem relevant. The block of hearings will continue through 9 July 2021.
In September 2021 the relatives shall be granted the opportunity to address the court.
Watch the livestream footage here:
Livestream 7 June 2021 part 1
Livestream 7 June 2021 part 2