Today the prosecution reported on the current status of the investigation and shared their views on how they suggest the proceedings progress.
Requests
The prosecution presented various requests, on which the court must now rule. A number of the requests concerned additional investigative steps, for example inspection of the reconstruction of the airplane. The prosecution requested that the investigating judges question witnesses further and investigate the possible manipulation of images by the Russian Federation. Furthermore, a number of other requests were put to the court for its decision, notably with regard
to the next steps in the proceedings.
Counsel
Counsel for the Russian accused who was chosen to be represented was also given the floor and requested that an interpreter be provided for the Russian counsel. In response to the requests made by the prosecution, counsel stated that the investigation was extensive and complex and that they had only recently received the case file. They said that, given that fact, they were not yet in a position to present a defence or to respond to the substance of the requests made by the prosecution.
Relatives
Counsel for the relatives were also given the floor today. They would like to be involved in planning the next steps in the trial. The presiding judge stated that, naturally, their wishes would be taken into account. In addition, counsel for the relatives requested the case file.
Looking ahead
The hearing will resume on 23 March 2020, the first day in the second week set aside for these proceedings. We will then hear what decisions the court has taken. Other topics may also be raised. On that day, the court will also consider whether, and if so, on which days, the court will sit that week.