Australian law firm seeks MH17 compensation

An Australian law firm has submitted a compensation claim against Russia and president Vladimir Putin in the European Court of Human Rights on behalf of families of victims of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, shot down in 2014, media reported. The aircraft, which was en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was shot down by a Russian-made surface-to-air missile, the Dutch Safety Board concluded in its final report late last year. Australian media reported that 33 next of kin of victims named in an application by Sydney law firm LHD Lawyers, representing people from Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia. The application was made May 9 and names the Russian Federation and Putin as respondents and seeks US$10m in compensation per passenger, the report said. <br/>