MH17 trial briefly resumes in near empty courtroom

The trial of three Russians and a Ukrainian charged with multiple murder for their alleged roles in shooting down Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 in 2014 resumed briefly Monday as the presiding judge read out a number of preliminary decisions.

Courtroom was almost empty due to restrictions aimed at slowing spread of coronavirus. Decisions on several requests by prosecutors for further investigations were delayed to give defense lawyers for one of defendants more time to prepare.

Among decisions taken by the court since the trial opened on March 9, Presiding Judge Hendrik Steenhuis authorised prosecutors to give lawyers for family members of the 298 victims access to limited parts of the investigation dossier.