Dutch authorities pressuring Hague сourt in case of MH17 flight crash - Russian Foreign Ministry
MOSCOW. March 6 (Interfax) - Dutch authorities are pressuring The Hague District Court in the case of the crash of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in Donbas, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said at a press briefing on Friday.
"I'd like to comment on the conduct of the Dutch authorities, which clearly demonstrates pressure on The Hague District Court ahead of the MH17 proceeding," Zakharova said.
An information campaign, "which is largely encouraged by the national authorities," is gaining momentum in the Netherlands, she said.
"Media leaks citing fictitious irrefutable evidence, testimonies from secret witnesses and sources that cannot be disclosed have become a pattern," Zakharova said.
The media campaign, "which has a tendency toward accusing Russia and its citizens," is gaining traction, she said.
"This has all been launched in the last few days before the hearing in order to fill blank spots in the body of evidence and to conceal attempts at manipulating the facts to fit with the chosen theory. Perhaps, this is being done to create the impression of an impeccable inquiry, to predetermine the verdict, and to prevent any deviation from the course set six years ago," Zakharova said.
She wondered whether such an information campaign was permissible ahead of the proceeding.
"We view all these factors as a flagrant attempt at exerting pressure on the court," Zakharova said.
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