Relief for surviving relatives of MH17 after three life terms: ‘This gives peace’
Relatives of flight MH17 breathed a sigh of relief. On Thursday, the judge found three of the four suspects guilty of bringing down the plane over eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board. A distraught Bart Hornickx was convinced. “We’ve had a life sentence from the start. But it gives us peace of mind.”
The 250 relatives of the survivors who were present first had to hear two hours of evidence from the judges before they heard what they had been hoping for for years: life in prison for the perpetrators. It was exciting until the end. But the sigh after saying the sentence was too deep.
This is also the case with Willem Lambregts from Roosendaal. He lost his brother Bart and sister-in-law Astrid of Gwerl in the disaster. “We’ve waited eight years for this. It brings back so many feelings and memories. In fact, we shouldn’t have been here at all. But it still feels good.”
“It doesn’t solve anything, but there is now a ruling we were hoping for.”
The three defendants, two Russians and one Ukrainian, are accused of killing 298 passengers on flight MH17. Although they themselves did not press the button. But this does not concern Willem at the moment. “That’s a good starting point. The Court has also indicated several times that there are different lines for Moscow. It’s really a relief that people there in Russia can take responsibility. But I think that’s going to be a tough story.”
They are joined by Bart and Jane Hornicks from Jewell. They must miss the same loved ones. “It doesn’t solve anything, but now there is a ruling we were hoping for,” says Jane. “This for life, you can not get higher.”
“It is not possible to completely close it yet, but this is a very important step.”
Bart adds: “But we had a life sentence from the start. We are happy people now. It gives us peace of mind.”
Martyn Martinez can’t quite rest yet. He lost his sister Nicole, son-in-law Jeroen, nephew Brett, and nieces Ginty, Emil, and Suleen in the disaster. Due to stress, he took the whole week off for the moment. “I am happy with the verdict. A complete lockdown is not yet possible, but this is a very important step,” he added.
“I am glad the perpetrators have been identified.”
He is amazed that the suspect Bulatov has been acquitted. He asks himself, “I find that very special. He is the only suspect who is assisted by lawyers. Did the other three know in advance that they were going to get a life sentence?”
For Joyce de Roux of Helmond, the book can now be closed away. She lost her father, Yoop. “I’m relieved that we’ve now received the confession. I think that’s the most important thing. We’ve always thought that’s how it happened. I’m glad the culprits have been identified.” She would prefer to see Russia on trial. The question is whether this will ever happen.
Also read: MH17 Trial: Three life terms for killing all 298 passengers
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