Russia opposes UN tribunal for MH17 culprits

NEW YORK: Russia said today it will oppose a draft UN resolution circulated by Malaysia on establishing an international tribunal to prosecute those behind the downing of Flight MH17 over Ukraine.
Deputy UN Ambassador Petr Iliichev confirmed Moscow's opposition to the plan, saying: "It's not a good time and it's counter-productive."
Asked whether Russia would push against the proposal, Iliichev responded "yes."
A day earlier, Malaysia had circulated the draft Security Council resolution.
It says a UN tribunal would guarantee an independent trial for those behind the downing of the Malaysia Airlines plane on July 17 last year.
The text, obtained by AFP, calls for establishing the tribunal under Chapter Seven of the UN charter, which means that the court's efforts to prosecute those responsible could be enforced by sanctions.
All 298 passengers and crew on board the Malaysia Airlines flight – the majority of them Dutch – died when the plane was shot down over eastern Ukraine.
Suspicions immediately turned to pro-Russian separatists who may have used a surface-to-air missile supplied by Russia to down the plane.
Russia has denied the claim and suggested that a Ukrainian missile may have hit it.
The tribunal would be "an effective guarantee for an independent and impartial accountability process," the draft resolution said.
The text describes the downing of the plane as "a threat to international peace and security" and demands that all states cooperate fully with the tribunal. – AFP