Dutch to put four on trial for murder over MH17: relatives

Dutch prosecutors are to charge four people with murder over the shooting down of flight MH17 over Ukraine, with a trial due early next year, relatives of the victims said Wednesday. "There is a court case on March 9, 2020, against four people for murder," Silene Fredriksz, whose son and daughter-in-law were killed in the disaster, told reporters after family members were briefed on the charges.

"I am happy that the trial is finally going to start and that the names have been announced. It's a start. I'm satisfied." The Dutch-led international investigation into the July 2014 tragedy is due to formally announce details of the charges at a press conference at 1100 GMT. Asked if she personally blamed anyone for the crash, Fredriksz said: "Mr (Russian President Vladimir) Putin.

"Because he made this possible. He created this situation. He is the main responsible person."