Russia let MH17 suspect return to eastern Ukraine, say Dutch prosecutors

In this file photo taken on Oct 13, 2015 the wrecked cockpit of the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 is presented to the press during a presentation of the final report on the cause of the crash at the Gilze Rijen airbase. - AFP

THE HAGUE (AFP): Dutch prosecutors accused Russia on Monday (Dec 2) of allowing a suspect in the downing of flight MH17 to return to rebel-held eastern Ukraine in defiance of an extradition agreement.

Vladimir Tsemakh, an alleged air defence specialist for pro-Moscow separatists, was one of dozens of prisoners exchanged by Kiev and Moscow in September in a deal hailed as a first step towards ending five years of conflict.