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MH17 crash: Russia vetoes UN resolution for criminal tribunal MH17 crash: Russia vetoes UN resolution for international tribunal
(about 2 hours later)
Russia has vetoed a United Nations draft resolution seeking to set up an international criminal tribunal into the MH17 air disaster in Ukraine. Russia has used its veto at the UN to block a draft resolution to set up an international tribunal into the MH17 air disaster in July 2014.
Eleven of the 15 members of the UN Security Council voted in favour of the resolution, while three abstained. It was the only nation at the 15-member UN Security Council to oppose the move, triggering widespread condemnation.
The Malaysian Airlines plane was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it crashed last July, killing all 298 people on board. The Malaysian Airlines flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur crashed in eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board.
Pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine have denied shooting down the aircraft. Pro-Russian rebels in the area have denied shooting down the aircraft.
Western nations say there is evidence it was hit by a Russian-supplied missile. Western nations and Ukraine say there is evidence it was hit by a Russian-supplied Buk anti-aircraft missile - a claim also denied by Russia.
'Callous disregard''Callous disregard'
Malaysia pushed for a tribunal, so those responsible can be prosecuted. It was backed by the Netherlands - that had 196 people on board - Ukraine, Belgium and Australia. Malaysia pushed for an international tribunal to try those responsible. The move was backed by the Netherlands - which had 196 nationals on board - Ukraine, Belgium and Australia.
Moscow has repeatedly rejected claims that pro-Russian rebels were behind the crash, instead blaming the government in Kiev for the disaster. Moscow has blamed the government in Kiev for the disaster.
Speaking earlier this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the the establishment of a tribunal would be "premature" and "counter-productive". Speaking earlier this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the establishment of a tribunal would be "premature" and "counter-productive".
Russia exercised its veto at the Security Council session in New York on Wednesday, while Angola, China and Venezuela abstained. Russia exercised its veto at the Security Council session in New York during a vote on Wednesday, while 11 other members backed the draft resolution. Angola, China and Venezuela abstained.
"Russia has callously disregarded the public outcry in the grieving nations," Samantha Power, the US ambassador to the UN said. "Russia has callously disregarded the public outcry in the grieving nations," said Samantha Power, the US ambassador to the UN.
Vitaly Churkin - Russia's UN representative - defended his country's actions, saying any criminal prosecutions would have been carried out in a "closed fashion". Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said called the Russian veto an "an affront to the memory of the 298 victims of MH17 and their families and friends".
He also criticised "aggressive... propaganda in the media" and said Russian investigators had been denied equal access to the crash site. She said Australia, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Ukraine and Belgium would seek an alternative prosecution mechanism, without giving further details.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin said: "There can be no reason to oppose this [draft resolution] unless you are a perpetrator yourself."
Russia's envoy to the UN, Vitaly Churkin, defended his country's actions, saying any criminal prosecutions would have been carried out in a "closed fashion".
He also criticised "aggressive propaganda" and said Russian investigators had been denied equal access to the crash site.
Moscow drafted an alternative resolution that did not include a tribunal, but called for a full international investigation.Moscow drafted an alternative resolution that did not include a tribunal, but called for a full international investigation.
Malaysia's transport minister had appealed to Council members to vote in favour of a tribunal, saying it would be best placed to "deliver justice to the families of the victims". Malaysia's transport minister had urged council members to vote in favour of a tribunal, saying it would be best placed to "deliver justice to the families of the victims".
A final report on the cause of the crash by the Dutch Safety Board is due to be released in October.A final report on the cause of the crash by the Dutch Safety Board is due to be released in October.
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