oneworld

Dutch lawmakers Tuesday approved a treaty signed between the Netherlands and Ukraine to ease the possible prosecution of those responsible for downing flight MH17, including trying suspects through video link. Former Dutch justice minister Stef Blok signed the pact with Ukranian counterpart Pavlo Petrenko in July last year, three years after the Malaysia Airlines passenger jet was shot down over war-torn eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 on board. Approved Tuesday, the treaty sets in stone that the prosecution of suspects will take place in a Dutch court, most likely in The Hague. It also allows for a trial by video. Jail sentences would be served in Ukraine if convicted suspects cannot be extradited to the Netherlands. The treaty "is an important step towards finding the truth and putting the suspects on trial, thereby satisfying victim's relatives," Blok said at the time.<br/>

A former BA pilot has been jailed for eight months after he went to work with a blood alcohol level far above the legal limit. Julian Monaghan was sentenced Tuesday at Lewes Crown Court. Judge Janet Waddicor said airline passengers are "entitled to feel that they are safe" on flights. Monaghan was arrested on Jan. 18 when a technician smelled alcohol on his breath as he prepared a Boeing 777 for takeoff on a flight from London to Mauritius. He was removed from the cockpit in handcuffs after some passengers had already boarded. Monaghan pleaded guilty after blood tests showed he had more than four times the legal limit of alcohol for a pilot in his system. He had worked for British Airways for 17 years and has resigned.<br/>