'Strong Indications' Putin Approved Supply Of Missile That Downed MH17 Plane, Finds Probe: Report

The investigation team into the 2014 incident claimed to have uncovered convincing evidence that the Russian president was involved in allowing the BUK-TELAR missile system.

New Delhi: International investigators on Wednesday asserted that there are "strong indications" that President Vladimir Putin decided to supply the Russian missile system that brought down Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 (MH17) over Ukraine, reported news agency BBC. The investigation team into the 2014 incident, which resulted in the deaths of all 298 passengers and crew members, claimed to have uncovered convincing evidence that the Russian president was involved in allowing the BUK-TELAR missile system, which brought the plane down, into Ukraine.

However, the team, which included experts from the Netherlands, Australia, Malaysia, Belgium, and Ukraine, has announced that they are suspending their investigation because they do not have sufficient evidence to initiate additional prosecutions.

There is no evidence to suggest that Putin instructed the aircraft to be shot down.

Russia denied any and all involvement in the plane's downing.

In July 2014, during a conflict between pro-Russian rebels and Ukrainian forces in the Donbas region of Ukraine, a Russian-made surface-to-air missile struck the Boeing 777 as it was flying from the capital of the Netherlands to Kuala Lumpur.

Among the 298 people on board, 196 were Dutch, with others hailing from Malaysia, Australia, the United Kingdom, Belgium, and other nations.

The Joint Investigation Team said in a statement that the court decided in July 2014 that Moscow had "overall control" over the Donetsk People's Republic, which controlled the area.

It cited recordings of telephone conversations in which Russian officials stated that "the President" made the decision to provide military support.

According to the BBC, the statement stated, "there is concrete information that the separatists' request was presented to the president, and that this request was granted."

However, it added that it is unknown whether the system used to shoot down MH17 is "explicitly mentioned" in the request.

The investigators further stated, "Although we speak of strong indications, the high bar of complete and conclusive evidence is not reached."

"Furthermore, the President enjoys immunity in his position as Head of State."

The countries most affected by the downing of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 are the Netherlands, Australia, Belgium, Malaysia, and Ukraine, which make up the Joint Investigation Team.

The team acknowledged that it was not currently possible to demonstrate the identities of the missile's crew members or who was in charge.

Three men, two Russians, and a Ukrainian were found guilty of murder in absentia by a Dutch court last year for their role in the downing of MH17.

These verdicts were deemed "scandalous" and politically motivated by Moscow.