Lawyer: Coronavirus restrictions hamper MH17 defense case A defense lawyer for one of the suspects in the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over eastern Ukraine nearly six years ago says that coronavirus restrictions have seriously hampered efforts to prepare their caseUS closes in on 110,000 coronavirus deaths, begins to reopen The Associated PressSCHIPHOL, Netherlands -- A defense lawyer for a suspect in the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over eastern Ukraine nearly six years ago said Monday that coronavirus restrictions have seriously hampered efforts to prepare the case. Sabine ten Doesschate, a Dutch lawyer representing Russian suspect Oleg Pulatov, said flight bans and other restrictions linked to the pandemic “have had a major impact” on attempts to build a defense case, including preventing lawyers from flying to Russia to interview their client. She said that meant defense lawyers are not yet ready to make preliminary objections such as challenging the Dutch court's jurisdiction in the case. Coronavirus social distancing measures were in place in the courtroom, with judges and prosecutors separated from one another by glass screens. Russia has consistently denied any involvement in the downing of the flight known as MH17 and has criticized the international investigation.

Source: ABC News June 08, 2020 10:18 UTC