MH17 trial resumes amid coronavirus restrictions

The MH17 trial resumed briefly at The Hague on March 23 amid coronavirus restrictions. The three Russians and one Ukrainian are charged with multiple counts of murder over the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 in 2014.
The Dutch judges in the trial ruled to adjourn the case until June 8 in order to give the defense lawyers of one of the accused more time to prepare their case. The courtroom was almost empty during the session, which was livestreamed on the Internet due to restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of the virus.
The plane was shot down with a Russian-made Buk missile by pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine, resulting in the death of 298 civilians. Two-thirds of the victims were Dutch. Investigators say they have proof the Buk missile system came from a military base in Russia.
The incident happened amid a conflict in eastern Ukraine, after Russian-backed rebels seized the area. The suspects, which are still at large, are all linked to pro-Moscow separatists. Russia denies any involvement in the downing.
When the trial opened on March 9, it was attended by lawyers, judges, family members of victims, and journalists, but the number of attendees on March 23 was largely reduced over the coronavirus pandemic. Family and media were not allowed to attend the trial, and judges were separated from one another by empty seats.