The MH17 trial

The Hague District Court rules on appeal on the status of 13 threatened witnesses

The MH17 criminal case resumed today in an adjusted format due to coronavirus-related measures.

MH17 criminal proceedings will continue as planned but in an adapted form.

The hearings that were planned for Wednesday 11, Thursday 12 and Friday 13 March 2020 have been cancelled.

In the press centre of the Judicial Complex Schiphol, Judicial Spokespeople Marije Knijff and Paul Rouwen took stock of the second day of the MH17 trial.

At the end of today’s court hearing, Judicial Spokespeople Yolande Wijnnobel and Paul Rouwen of the District Court of The Hague briefed the press.

On court days, The Schiphol Judicial Complex (JCS) is best reached by public transport.

The MH17 criminal trial will start Monday, March 9, 2020. Many people wonder what to expect from the first sessions.

The accreditation system for attending the first session of the MH17 criminal trial is closed.

Journalists will be pleased to know that they may be able to obtain the names of the suspects, court of session opening hours and the indictment.

Due to the development of the Covid-19 virus, we will take precautionary measures at the Schiphol Judicial Complex and the adjacent press centre.

You have the opportunity up to and including Monday 2 March at the latest to register or make changes to an earlier registration.

A law firm has recently been reported. The District Court of The Hague will not release the name of the firm and does not specify for which suspect(s).

The period for registering to attend the hearings has expired. However, interested parties and journalists can still register.

Today registration opens to attend the hearings in the MH17 criminal case at Schiphol Judicial Complex in Badhoevedorp (the Netherlands).

On 29 November 2019, the District Court of The Hague is offering a media briefing for national and international media on the organisation of the MH17 trial.

The Examining (or Investigating) Magistrate in criminal cases is a special judge. It is the judge in the preliminary phase of a criminal case.

The District Court of The Hague has reserved the following periods for the MH17 trial at the Schiphol Judicial Complex (JCS).

A victim of a crime or his or her relatives may have several roles in a criminal case. An explanation in the video.

The court is independent and impartial, and, in principle, discusses all the matters it has to decide on at a public hearing.

In large cases, the first day of the hearing hardly ever deals with the substance of the case. The first day of the hearing will mainly be about 'taking stock'.

In principle a Dutch criminal case follows a certain pattern. Watch the video for an explanation.

For the hearing of the MH17 case, 4 judges have now been appointed: 3 sitting judges and 1 reserve judge.

The first court date has been announced and the presiding judge has been appointed.