MH17 plane crash 'key witness' unexpectedly released from Ukraine jail
Associated Press
A Ukrainian court on Thursday unexpectedly released a key witness in the case of the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, just minutes before Russian President Vladimir Putin said he was optimistic about an impending prisoner swap with Ukraine.
Russia and Ukraine, which remain deadlocked over Russia's 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimean peninsula and the separatist-controlled east, have been discussing a major prisoner exchange that could release dozens of Russians and Ukrainians kept in custody in the two countries.
The appeals court in the capital Kyiv ordered the release of Volodymyr Tsemakh from custody on recognizance, pending further investigation.
Read more at: https://www.foxnews.com/world/mh17-plane-crash-key-witness-unexpectedly-released-from-ukraine-jail
Netherlands lost the most citizens on the flight I believe OR the flight originated from there, more coverage:
Activists of National Corps, the far-right Ukrainian party, burn flares during a protest outside the court building after the court freed the man suspected of involvement in the downing of Flight MH17 in Kiev on Thursday. The couort released from pretrial detention a man suspected of involvement in the downing of MH17, amid speculation he might be used in a prisoner swap with Russia. | AFP-JIJI
World / Crime & Legal
Dutch concerned by Kiev's release of pro-Russia Ukrainian suspect in downing of MH17
Sep 6, 2019
THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS – Dutch investigators expressed concern Thursday they will be unable to question a Ukrainian man over the downing of flight MH17 after a court in Kiev freed him pending trial.
The release of Vladimir Tsemakh, an alleged air defense specialist for pro-Russian separatists, comes amid speculation he might be part of a prisoner swap with Russia.
“We would have wanted him to be available for the investigation, and of course we would regret it if we can’t because he’s being released,†Brechtje van de Moosdijk, spokeswoman for the Dutch-led MH17 Joint Investigation Team, told AFP.
Read more at: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/09/06/world/crime-legal-world/dutch-concerned-kievs-release-pro-russia-ukrainian-suspect-downing-mh17/#.XXFo_UdOkdU
