Trial of suspects in 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 opens

Magistrates wait, on March 9, 2020 in Schiphol, before the opening of the trial of four men accused of murder over the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in 2014, even though the suspects are still at large. (AFP Photo)

The trial opened in the Netherlands on Monday of three Russians and a Ukrainian over the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 on July 17, 2014.

The defendants, who are still at large, face charges of murder, obtaining a missile launcher and shooting down the jetliner as it flew from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, killing all 298 passengers and crew.