PUTRAJAYA: Family members of victims of the Malaysia Airlines MH17 tragedy gathered here today for a briefing with Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai – just four days before the shoot down’s third anniversary.
The next-of-kin began arriving from around the world at the Marriott Hotel here as early as 10am.
MAS chairman Tan Sri Md Nor Yusof and chief executive officer Peter Bellew were also present.
Liow arrived at 11.05am.
The media was restricted from covering the briefing, with reporters and photographers prohibited from entering the hall where it was being held.
Last week, Liow said he will meet the families for a briefing on criminal proceedings set to take place in the Netherlands.
He added that the criminal investigation is still ongoing, and that Dutch authorities have narrowed down the suspects to 100 individuals.
Liow also said that Malaysia, the Netherlands, Belgium, Australia and the Ukraine announced their agreement to charge the suspects in the Netherlands instead of an international court.
On July 17, 2014, the Boeing B777, flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was shot down over Donetsk in eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 passengers and crew members onboard.
The aircraft crashed in territory held by Moscow-backed rebels fighting against the Kiev government.