Australia’s charges against Russia may go to the UN

The UN aviation agency will discuss whether to hear a case against Russia over the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in 2014, two sources familiar with the discussion told Reuters.

Australia and the Netherlands launched action on MH17 at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) last year. Her MH17 was killed when it was hit by what international investigators and prosecutors said was a Russian-made surface-to-air missile. All 298 people boarded.

Australia said Russia would be held responsible under international law and raising the issue with ICAO would be a step forward in the fight for victims, including 38 Australians. denies involvement.

private deliberation

The outcome at ICAO is uncertain, but experts said the move could be seen as a further way to force Russia to negotiate over the incident.

It’s not clear if there will be an actual vote on Friday, said one of the two sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the talks are private.

Technical talks by the ICAO’s 36-member governing council come as Moscow faces mounting criticism of its aviation-related actions following its invasion of Ukraine.

In October, Russia failed to win enough votes to retain its seat on the ICAO’s triennial session.

The council also called on Russia to double-register civil aircraft, which the agency said contradicted part of a key agreement that laid down the core principles of global aviation.

Lacking regulatory power, the Montreal-based ICAO has moral compelling force and sets global aviation standards overwhelmingly adopted by its 193 member states.

ICAO said in a statement that members of the council hoped “discussions will take place in a closed diplomatic session”.

-AAP