MH17 crash investigators say four suspects face murder charges - CNN

The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) said it would issue national and international arrest warrants Wednesday for the four suspects. Three Russians, Igor Girkin, Sergey Dubinskiy and Oleg Pulatov, were named, along with Ukrainian Leonid Kharchenko.

According to investigators, Girkin is a former colonel of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), Dubinskiy was employed by Russia's military intelligence agency GRU and Pulatov was a former soldier of the Russian special forces, Spetsnaz-GRU.

Ukraine's Kharchenko had no military background, but is believed to have led a combat unit in Donetsk in July 2014.

Investigators said they would not ask for the suspects to be extradited because the Russian and Ukrainian constitution prohibits extraditing nationals.

They added that they would ask Russia to cooperate with the investigation, and both countries to question the suspects about the charges.

All four suspects are charged with "causing the crash of MH17, leading to the death of all the people on board ... and murdering 298 passengers of flight MH17," Dutch prosecutor Fred Westerbeke announced.

Flight MH17 was shot out of the sky over territory held by pro-Russian separatists as it flew from Amsterdam to the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur in July 2014. The 298 who died came from 17 countries.

According to Westerbeke, the suspects are not accused of firing the missile, but are "just as punishable as the person who committed the crime," Westerbeke said.

He added that they are suspected of obtaining the Buk missile "with the goal to shoot a plane."

Their trial will take place on March 9, 2020 at the Schiphol Judicial Complex in Badhoevedorp, investigators said, adding that the accused will be tried in absentia if necessary.

According to the JIT -- which is made up of five countries: Australia, Belgium, Malaysia, the Netherlands and Ukraine -- MH17 was downed by a Buk.

Investigators announced in 2018 that the flight had been brought down by a missile fired from a launcher belonging to Russia's 53rd anti-aircraft missile brigade. Russia has repeatedly denied involvement in the incident, suggesting instead that Ukrainian forces shot down the plane.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said there was "nothing to discuss," in a conference call with reporters on Wednesday, ahead of the news conference.

"You know our attitude to this investigation. Russia had no opportunity to take part in it (the JIT). Though from the very start, from the very first days of this tragedy, Russia showed initiative, was actively trying to become a part of this investigation into this horrific disaster," Peskov added.

CNN's Tomas Etzler, Nathan Hodge and Duarte Mendonca contributed reporting.

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https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/19/europe/malaysia-airlines-flight-17-suspects-intl/index.html

2019-06-19 12:47:00Z
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MH17 crash investigators say four suspects face murder charges - CNN

The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) said it would issue national and international arrest warrants Wednesday for the four suspects. Three Russians, Igor Girkin, Sergey Dubinskiy and Oleg Pulatov, were named, along with Ukrainian Leonid Kharchenko.

According to investigators, Girkin is a former colonel of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), Dubinskiy was employed by Russia's military intelligence agency GRU and Pulatov was a former soldier of the Russian special forces, Spetsnaz-GRU.

Ukraine's Kharchenko had no military background, but is believed to have led a combat unit in Donetsk in July 2014.

Investigators said they would not ask for the suspects to be extradited because the Russian and Ukrainian constitution prohibits extraditing nationals.

They added that they would ask Russia to cooperate with the investigation, and both countries to question the suspects about the charges.

All four suspects are charged with "causing the crash of MH17, leading to the death of all the people on board ... and murdering 298 passengers of flight MH17," Dutch prosecutor Fred Westerbeke announced.

Flight MH17 was shot out of the sky over territory held by pro-Russian separatists as it flew from Amsterdam to the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur in July 2014. The 298 who died came from 17 countries.

According to Westerbeke, the suspects are not accused of firing the missile, but are "just as punishable as the person who committed the crime," Westerbeke said.

He added that they are suspected of obtaining the Buk missile "with the goal to shoot a plane."

Their trial will take place on March 9, 2020 in the Hague, investigators said, adding that the accused will be tried in absentia if necessary.

According to the JIT -- which is made up of five countries: Australia, Belgium, Malaysia, the Netherlands and Ukraine -- MH17 was downed by a Buk.

Investigators announced in 2018 that the flight had been brought down by a missile fired from a launcher belonging to Russia's 53rd anti-aircraft missile brigade. Russia has repeatedly denied involvement in the incident, suggesting instead that Ukrainian forces shot down the plane.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said there was "nothing to discuss," in a conference call with reporters on Wednesday, ahead of the news conference.

"You know our attitude to this investigation. Russia had no opportunity to take part in it (the JIT). Though from the very start, from the very first days of this tragedy, Russia showed initiative, was actively trying to become a part of this investigation into this horrific disaster," Peskov added.

CNN's Duarte Mendonca contributed reporting.

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https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/19/europe/malaysia-airlines-flight-17-suspects-intl/index.html

2019-06-19 12:16:00Z
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MH17: Four charged with shooting down plane over Ukraine - BBC News

For the first time since Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot down in July 2014, prosecutors have announced charges against suspects in the case.

Three Russians and a Ukrainian have been charged with bringing a missile into the area in eastern Ukraine and with murdering 298 passengers and crew.

Passenger flight MH17 was en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it was shot down over conflict-hit Ukraine.

A court case will begin in the Netherlands on 9 March 2020.

International arrest warrants have been issued for the four men.

The Dutch-led joint investigation team (JIT) named the men as Igor Girkin, Sergey Dubinskiy and Oleg Pulatov from Russia, as well as Ukrainian Leonid Kharchenko.

The JIT, which seeks to try the suspects under Dutch law, previously said it had a "long list" of persons of interest and appealed again for witnesses as the investigation continues.

Who are the four suspects?

Igor Girkin (also known as Strelkov) is a former colonel in Russia's FSB intelligence service, prosecutors say. He was given the minister of defence title in the rebel-held eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk.

He is believed to be the highest military officer in the area who was in direct contact with the Russian Federation. In a statement Mr Girkin said: "I can only say that militia did not shoot down the Boeing."

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Sergei Dubinskiy (known as Khmuriy), who was employed by Russia's GRU military intelligence agency, was a deputy of Mr Girkin and also in regular contact with Russia, according to prosecutors.

Oleg Pulatov, known as Giurza, is a former soldier of the Spetznaz GRU - the special forces of Russia military intelligence - and was deputy head of the intelligence service in Donetsk, the JIT said.

Ukrainian Leonid Kharchenko has no military background but led a combat unit as a commander in Eastern Ukraine, prosecutors said.

"The JIT suspects Girkin, Dubinsky, Pulatov and Kharchenko of having played a significant role in the death of 298 innocent civilians," said prosecutor Fred Westerbeke.

"The means of evidence these suspicions are based on will be elaborated on during the criminal proceedings, Then the judge will pass sentence The suspects are innocent until the contrary is proven in court."

He added that investigators had "evidence showing that Russia provided the missile launcher".

What is known about flight MH17?

The passenger jet left Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport at 10:15 GMT on 17 July 2014 and was due to arrive at Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia the following day.

A few hours after take-off, the plane lost contact with air traffic control about 50km (30 miles) from the Russia-Ukraine border.

The plane crashed in the Donetsk area, in territory controlled by Russian-backed separatists. Parts of the wreckage were found distributed over an area of about 50 sq km.

In October 2015, the Dutch Safety Board concluded the plane had been hit by a Buk missile, causing it to break apart in mid-air.

The JIT - which includes officials from the Netherlands, Australia, Belgium, Malaysia and Ukraine - concluded in May 2018 that the missile system belonged to the 53rd Anti Aircraft Missile brigade, based in the western Russian city of Kursk. It produced evidence that it said proved how the missile system reached eastern Ukraine.

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Russia responded by denying any of its anti-aircraft missile systems had ever crossed the Ukrainian border. Its foreign ministry has accused the JIT investigation of being "biased and politically motivated".

Australia and the Netherlands have both officially held Russia responsible for the crash.

A total of 283 passengers, including 80 children, and 15 crew members were killed on the flight.

Delays and difficulties in the recovery of victims' remains in the aftermath of the crash prompted widespread international criticism.

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https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-48691488

2019-06-19 11:47:04Z
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Saudi Arabia behind Khashoggi's 'deliberate, premeditated execution,' report says - CNN

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2019-06-19 11:25:34Z
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Khashoggi murder: Independent investigation blames Saudi Arabia for 'extrajudicial killing' of journalist - CNN

In a much anticipated report, released Wednesday, UN extrajudicial executions investigator Agnes Callamard said that Saudi Arabia was responsible under international law for Khashoggi's "extrajudicial killing."

A prominent writer and Washington Post columnist, Khashoggi died after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018. While Riyadh initially denied any knowledge of the incident, Saudi officials later claimed that a group of rogue operators, many of whom belong to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's inner circle, were responsible for the journalist's death.

The Saudi attorney general later acknowledged that Khashoggi was killed in a premeditated murder.

The special rapporteur does not make any conclusions on the guilt of the Saudi Crown Prince and King. Instead, Callamard says that there is "credible evidence meriting further investigation by a proper authority" as to whether the "threshold of criminal responsibility has been met."

She goes on to say that Khashoggi was "fully aware of the powers held by the Crown Prince" and had expressed fears about what would happen to him if he returned to the kingdom.

CNN has reached out to the Saudi government for a response to Wednesday's report.

Riyadh has maintained that neither bin Salman nor King Salman knew of the operation to target Khashoggi. US officials, however, have said such a mission -- including 15 men sent from Riyadh -- could not have been carried out without the authorization of bin Salman.

According to the report -- which cites evidence from Turkish and other intelligence agencies -- after entering the consulate, Khashoggi was injected with a sedative and then his head put inside a plastic bag and suffocated.

It quotes an audio recording from inside the consulate, in which Khashoggi is heard being told he will be taken to Saudi Arabia.

"We will have to take you back. There is an order from Interpol," a Saudi man tells the journalist, who replies that "there isn't a case against me" and warns them that people are waiting for him outside the consulate.

The men instruct Khashoggi to write a text message to his son, and argue over what he should say before a voice says "Cut it short."

"There is a towel here. Are you going to give me drugs?" Khashoggi asks.

"We will anesthetize you," a man responds.

A struggle can then be heard, after which a man asks whether Khashoggi has passed out.

"He raises his head."

"Keep pushing."

"Push here; don't remove your hand; push it."

It has previously been reported that after Khashoggi was killed his body was dismembered and removed from the consulate in separate bags. It has not been found.

The special rapporteur found credible evidence pointing to the crime scenes having been "thoroughly, even forensically, cleaned" -- indicating that the Saudi investigation was "not conducted in good faith, and that it may amount to obstructing justice."

Repercussions for Riyadh

Khashoggi's killing and the continued fallout from it has caused a diplomatic crisis for Riyadh, ruining Saudi Arabia's already shaky international reputation and leading many allies to distance themselves from bin Salman.

While US President Donald Trump has shied away from taking a hard line against bin Salman, wishing to retain Riyadh's support in pressuring Iran and flow of money for arms sales, other American politicians have sought to punish the Saudis.

Weeks after the killing, top US officials called for a ceasefire in the Saudi-led but US-supported war in Yemen, and Congress has voted to end US involvement in that conflict entirely -- though Trump vetoed that motion.

Bin Salman's "Davos in the Desert" summit weeks after the Khashoggi killing was a failure after many high profile guests pulled out, and investment in the Kingdom has also suffered since Khashoggi's killing, at a time when the Crown Prince is desperately trying to get foreign backing for his Vision 2030 plan.

Washington has also eased up on Saudi rival Qatar, after initially backing Riyadh's attempts to blockade its fellow Gulf monarchy.

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https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/19/middleeast/khashoggi-saudi-arabia-report-intl/index.html

2019-06-19 10:59:00Z
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Khashoggi murder: Independent investigation blames Saudi Arabia for 'extrajudicial killing' of journalist - CNN

In a much anticipated report, released Wednesday, UN extrajudicial executions investigator Agnes Callamard said that Saudi Arabia was responsible under international law for Khashoggi's "extrajudicial killing."

A prominent writer and Washington Post columnist, Khashoggi died after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018. While Riyadh initially denied any knowledge of the incident, Saudi officials later claimed that a group of rogue operators, many of whom belong to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's inner circle, were responsible for the journalist's death.

The Saudi attorney general later acknowledged that Khashoggi was killed in a premeditated murder.

The special rapporteur does not make any conclusions on the guilt of the Saudi Crown Prince and King. Instead, Callamard says that there is "credible evidence meriting further investigation by a proper authority" as to whether the "threshold of criminal responsibility has been met."

She goes on to say that Khashoggi was "fully aware of the powers held by the Crown Prince" and had expressed fears about what would happen to him if he returned to the kingdom.

CNN has reached out to the Saudi government for a response to Wednesday's report.

Riyadh has maintained that neither bin Salman nor King Salman knew of the operation to target Khashoggi. US officials, however, have said such a mission -- including 15 men sent from Riyadh -- could not have been carried out without the authorization of bin Salman.

According to the report -- which cites evidence from Turkish and other intelligence agencies -- after entering the consulate, Khashoggi was injected with a sedative and then his head put inside a plastic bag and suffocated.

It quotes an audio recording from inside the consulate, in which Khashoggi is heard being told he will be taken to Saudi Arabia.

"We will have to take you back. There is an order from Interpol," a Saudi man tells the journalist, who replies that "there isn't a case against me" and warns them that people are waiting for him outside the consulate.

The men instruct Khashoggi to write a text message to his son, and argue over what he should say before a voice says "Cut it short."

"There is a towel here. Are you going to give me drugs?" Khashoggi asks.

"We will anesthetize you," a man responds.

A struggle can then be heard, after which a man asks whether Khashoggi has passed out.

"He raises his head."

"Keep pushing."

"Push here; don't remove your hand; push it."

It has previously been reported that after Khashoggi was killed his body was dismembered and removed from the consulate in separate bags. It has not been found.

The special rapporteur found credible evidence pointing to the crime scenes having been "thoroughly, even forensically, cleaned" -- indicating that the Saudi investigation was "not conducted in good faith, and that it may amount to obstructing justice."

Repercussions for Riyadh

Khashoggi's killing and the continued fallout from it has caused a diplomatic crisis for Riyadh, ruining Saudi Arabia's already shaky international reputation and leading many allies to distance themselves from bin Salman.

While US President Donald Trump has shied away from taking a hard line against bin Salman, wishing to retain Riyadh's support in pressuring Iran and flow of money for arms sales, other American politicians have sought to punish the Saudis.

Weeks after the killing, top US officials called for a ceasefire in the Saudi-led but US-supported war in Yemen, and Congress has voted to end US involvement in that conflict entirely -- though Trump vetoed that motion.

Bin Salman's "Davos in the Desert" summit weeks after the Khashoggi killing was a failure after many high profile guests pulled out, and investment in the Kingdom has also suffered since Khashoggi's killing, at a time when the Crown Prince is desperately trying to get foreign backing for his Vision 2030 plan.

Washington has also eased up on Saudi rival Qatar, after initially backing Riyadh's attempts to blockade its fellow Gulf monarchy.

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https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/19/middleeast/khashoggi-saudi-arabia-report-intl/index.html

2019-06-19 10:39:00Z
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Khashoggi murder: Independent investigation blames Saudi Arabia for 'extrajudicial killing' of journalist - CNN

In a much anticipated report, released Wednesday, UN extrajudicial executions investigator Agnes Callamard said that Saudi Arabia was responsible under international law for Khashoggi's "extrajudicial killing."

A prominent writer and Washington Post columnist, Khashoggi died after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018. While Riyadh initially denied any knowledge of the incident, Saudi officials later claimed that a group of rogue operators, many of whom belong to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's inner circle, were responsible for the journalist's death.

The Saudi attorney general later acknowledged that Khashoggi was killed in a premeditated murder.

The special rapporteur does not make any conclusions on the guilt of the Saudi Crown Prince and King. Instead, Callamard says that there is "credible evidence meriting further investigation by a proper authority" as to whether the "threshold of criminal responsibility has been met."

She goes on to say that Khashoggi was "fully aware of the powers held by the Crown Prince" and had expressed fears about what would happen to him if he returned to the kingdom.

CNN has reached out to the Saudi government for a response to Wednesday's report.

Riyadh has maintained that neither bin Salman nor King Salman knew of the operation to target Khashoggi. US officials, however, have said such a mission -- including 15 men sent from Riyadh -- could not have been carried out without the authorization of bin Salman.

According to the report -- which cites evidence from Turkish and other intelligence agencies -- after entering the consulate, Khashoggi was injected with a sedative and then his head put inside a plastic bag and suffocated.

It quotes an audio recording from inside the consulate, in which Khashoggi is heard being told he will be taken to Saudi Arabia.

"We will have to take you back. There is an order from Interpol," a Saudi man tells the journalist, who replies that "there isn't a case against me" and warns them that people are waiting for him outside the consulate.

The men instruct Khashoggi to write a text message to his son, and argue over what he should say before a voice says "Cut it short."

"There is a towel here. Are you going to give me drugs?" Khashoggi asks.

"We will anesthetize you," a man responds.

A struggle can then be heard, after which a man asks whether Khashoggi has passed out.

"He raises his head."

"Keep pushing."

"Push here; don't remove your hand; push it."

It has previously been reported that after Khashoggi was killed his body was dismembered and removed from the consulate in separate bags. It has not been found.

The special rapporteur found credible evidence pointing to the crime scenes having been "thoroughly, even forensically, cleaned" -- indicating that the Saudi investigation was "not conducted in good faith, and that it may amount to obstructing justice."

Repercussions for Riyadh

Khashoggi's killing and the continued fallout from it has caused a diplomatic crisis for Riyadh, ruining Saudi Arabia's already shaky international reputation and leading many allies to distance themselves from bin Salman.

While US President Donald Trump has shied away from taking a hard line against bin Salman, wishing to retain Riyadh's support in pressuring Iran and flow of money for arms sales, other American politicians have sought to punish the Saudis.

Weeks after the killing, top US officials called for a ceasefire in the Saudi-led but US-supported war in Yemen, and Congress has voted to end US involvement in that conflict entirely -- though Trump vetoed that motion.

Bin Salman's "Davos in the Desert" summit weeks after the Khashoggi killing was a failure after many high profile guests pulled out, and investment in the Kingdom has also suffered since Khashoggi's killing, at a time when the Crown Prince is desperately trying to get foreign backing for his Vision 2030 plan.

Washington has also eased up on Saudi rival Qatar, after initially backing Riyadh's attempts to blockade its fellow Gulf monarchy.

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https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/19/middleeast/khashoggi-saudi-arabia-report-intl/index.html

2019-06-19 10:30:00Z
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