The Australian government has imposed sanctions on three men who were engaged in shooting down Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17.
The government has been coordinating sanctions against the trio since November 2022, when they were found guilty by the District Court of The Hague of their part in the downing of MH17 and the murder of all 298 aboard, including 38 Australian citizens or residents.
Sergey Dubinskiy, a Russian, and Leonid Kharchenko, a citizen of Ukraine, who were both convicted guilty in court and given life sentences, are the targets of the sanctions.
Sergey Muchkaev, a colonel in the Russian Armed Forces, is a Russian native who has also received sanctions from Australia.
Muchkaev led the 53rd Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade in July 2014, which provided the Buk-TELAR missile system that brought down MH17.
Igor Girkin, a different convicted offender, received sanctions from Australia in 2014 for his support of separatist action in eastern Ukraine.
The three individuals sanctioned “actively supported actions and policies that threatened the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine as either separatist leaders within the so-called ‘People’s Republic of Donetsk’ at the time of the downing of Flight MH17 or as a member of the Russian Armed Forces,” said Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
The Australian government’s continued commitment to holding those accountable for the downing of Flight MH17 is demonstrated by these measures.
She declared that Australia would pursue all options in order to find “truth, justice, and accountability” for the victims.
Our hearts continue to be with the departed, their families, and loved ones, added Senator Wong.
Russia has been urged by Australia to work with the Netherlands to ensure that the offenders serve out their sentences under Dutch law.
Stay tuned with Reporters Newswire
