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MAS 'criminally negligent' over MH17 tragedy, says kin's lawyer
Published:  Dec 31, 2016 12:10 PM
Updated: 5:22 AM

A lawyer representing the families of MH17 victims has accused Malaysia Airlines (MAS) of being “criminally negligent” for ignoring the dangers of flying through Ukraine on the fateful day of the downing.

US-based Jerry Skinner of LHD Lawyers was reported by Australia's The Telegraph today saying all MAS needed to do in the days leading to the tragedy was to “pick up a newspaper”, according to Free Malaysia Today (FMT).

“There was a city just outside of Donetsk subject to artillery bombardment and in the course of two days, 300 artillery shells were dropped on that city.

“With that level of violence going on in that city, why wasn’t somebody pursuing it further at the airline?” Skinner was reported as saying by FMT, citing the Australian daily.

“In the US it’s called criminally negligent homicide,” said Skinner, who represents five Australian families in lawsuits against Russia and Malaysia Airlines.

298 people aboard flight MH17 from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur perished when the plane was shot down from 33,000 feet in the air near the conflict zone of the Ukrainian-Russian border on July 17, 2015.

MAS had been criticised for flying over the Uktrainian-Russian conflict zone despite the risks and reports of other airlines opting for safer routes.

Skinner reportedly also represents the families of eight Malaysia Airlines crew members on board the ill-fated flight, who have been attempting to take legal action against the airlines.

The Telegraph reported MAS has not responded to Skinner's latest assertions, and the lawyer is reportedly attempting to meet with Prime Minister Najib Razak.

The prime minister “holds the key” to resolving some or all of the claims against, Skinner believed.

According to FMT, Skinner is also undertaking a lawsuit against Russia and president Vladimir Putin seeking the equivalent of roughly US$7.2 million (RM 32 million) for each MH17 victim, which is pending hearing at the European Court of Human Rights.

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