MH17: Next-of-kin file suit against MAS

KUALA LUMPUR: The next-of-kin of seven passengers on board ill-fated Flight MH17 today filed a suit against Malaysia Airlines System Berhad (MAS) with respect to the loss of lives of their family members.
The flight carrying 298 passengers and crew from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur crashed in eastern Ukraine near the Russian border on July 17, 2014
The next-of-kin to four Indonesians and three citizens of The Netherlands filed the suit through their counsel Datuk Dr S.Arunan of Messrs Rusmah Arunan & Associates, at the Civil High Court registry here.
Arunan told reporters that the 11 plaintiffs, who declined to reveal their identities, named MAS as the sole defendant in the lawsuit.
According to the statement of claim, the plaintiffs alleged that the defendant operated the MH17 flight over an area known to be under armed conflict.
They submitted the claim under the provisions of the Carriage by Air Act, 1974, the Montreal Convention of 1999 and/or the Civil Law Act 1956 for the deaths of the deceased.
They are seeking general damages, special damages, interest, costs and any other relief deemed fit by the court.
Meanwhile, counsel Shailender Bhar who is representing the next-of-kin of eight other victims on board the flight, also submitted a negligence and breach of contract suit against MAS and Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB).
When met by reporters after filing the suit, he refused to hand over documents and reveal the identities of the 30 next-of-kin representing the eight victims comprising two passengers, and six crew members.
The Boeing 777 was believed to have been shot down. However, no one has claimed responsibility to date. — Bernama