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Russia blocks UN tribunal on downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17

The Dutch Safety Board is expected to release its final report in October.

By Jared M. Feldschreiber

UNITED NATIONS, July 29 (UPI) -- Russia vetoed a United Nations resolution Wednesday to create an international tribunal and prosecute those who shot down the Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over eastern Ukraine on July 17, 2014.

Vitaly Churkin, the Russian ambassador to the UN, cast the lone "no vote," which effectively blocked the resolution. Russia is one of five permanent Security Council members with veto powers.

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China, Angola and Venezuela abstained from voting as eleven of the 15 members of the council had voted in favor of the resolution drafted by Belgium, Malaysia, Australia, Ukraine and the Netherlands, Al Jazeera reported.

All 298 people on board, including 193 Dutch citizens, were killed. This led to the Netherlands taking a leading role in the investigation. The downing of the plane triggered a wave of Western economic sanctions against Russia.

"The Russian president confirmed unchanging position that it is inexpedient to create such a judicial body," the Kremlin said following a phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

While the Dutch Safety Board is expected to release its final report in October, another criminal investigation by detectives from five countries could produce potential murder and war crimes' charges to those responsible.

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Growing evidence has surfaced in recent weeks that the plane was shot down by a Russian-made missile provided to pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine.

Relatives of 18 victims of the downed plane also filed a lawsuit in a Chicago court weeks ago against Igor Girkin, the former Russian intelligence officer in command of separatist forces at the time. The families argue that Girkin orchestrated the attack.

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