MH17 inquiry: ‘Strong indications’ Putin OK’d missile supply

By MIKE CORDER
Associated Press

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — An international team of investigators says it found “strong indications” Russian President Vladimir Putin approved the supply of heavy anti-aircraft weapons to Ukrainian separatists who shot down Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 with a Russian missile in 2014. But the Joint Investigation Team said Wednesday they had insufficient evidence to launch new prosecutions and suspended their investigation into the downing of the plane that killed all 298 people on the flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur. Russia has always denied involvement in the downing of the flight over eastern Ukraine and refused to cooperate with the investigation. The findings will likely strengthen a case at the human rights court and could be used by prosecutors investigating possible war crimes in Ukraine.