MH17: Separatist rebels finally hand over black boxes to Malaysian investigators

Pro-Russian Ukrainian separatist rebels, who are in control of the crash site of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 near Grabovo, in eastern Ukraine, have handed over the black boxes retrieved from the wreckage of the downed Boeing 777 jetliner to Malaysian investigators. 

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak stated that the agreement he reached with rebel leader Alexander Borodai to enable the black box transfer, will also allow international investigators full “safe access” to the site, according to The Atlantic Wire

“I must stress that although an agreement has been reached, there remain a number of steps required before it is completed,” said Najib.

“There is work still to be done, work which relies on continued communication in good faith. Mr. Borodai and his people have so far given their cooperation.” 

Malaysian officials in Donetsk have determined that the black boxes handed to them are “in good condition”, which presumably means that they have not been tampered with by rebel forces – a valid concern, as there are still unrefuted allegations that it was the rebels themselves who  shot down Flight MH17.

The separatists initially planned on transferring one of MH17’s black boxes to Moscow for inspection, before the Malaysia government insisted on being given both. 

US authorities have confirmed that a Russian-made BUK missile was involved in the shooting down of Flight MH17 last Thursday. 

There were 289 people on board Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 when it took off from Amsterdam en route to Kuala Lumpur last Thursday. None are believed to have survived. 

 

See Also:

Ukraine government releases audio implicating rebels and Russian intelligence in MH17 crash

Ukrainian rebels find two MH17 black boxes; sends one to Moscow

PM Najib wants bodies of MH17 victims home before Hari Raya

Transport Minister: “Ukraine can’t guarantee safe passage to MH17 crash site”

To avoid Ukrainian airspace, Malaysia Airlines flew over Syria

 

Photo: Dmitry Lovetsky / Associated Press



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