Four men accused of murder over the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in 2014 went on trial in the Netherlands on Monday, with families of the 298 victims calling for justice.
The suspects - three Russians and a Ukrainian - were not present in the dock of the high-security court but judges ruled that the hearing could continue in their absence.
"The court realises the impact of the loss of so many lives and the manner in which they so abruptly ended is barely conceivable," he said.Silence descended over the courtroom as the victims' names were read out with some relatives listening with bowed heads, many with their eyes closed, an AFP correspondent in court said.
Prosecutors say all four were linked to pro-Russian separatists on whose territory the plane's wreckage fell near the start of Ukraine's bitter civil war.They argue the men were instrumental in bringing the BUK missile system to Ukraine from its original base in Russia - even if they did not pull the trigger.
"We assume they have waived their right to be present since they do not value the right to be present," Steenhuis said.
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