Netherlands and Australia launch case against Russia over downing of MH17 plane

The reconstructed wreckage of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 (Peter Dejong/AP)

The Dutch and Australian governments have launched a legal case against Russia at the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) seeking to hold Moscow accountable for its alleged role in the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17.

The case announced in The Hague and Canberra is the latest bid to hold Russia legally responsible for the missile strike that brought down the passenger jet over eastern Ukraine on July 17 2014, killing all 298 people on board.