Trial over Malaysian plane crash not likely at ICC: Dutch minister

[AMSTERDAM] The Netherlands or Malaysia is likely to try those responsible for the downing in Ukraine of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, not the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, the Dutch said on Wednesday.

Cases are only referred to the world's permanent war crimes court if countries involved are unable or unwilling to prosecute atrocities, Justice Minister Ivo Opstelten said in a letter to Parliament.

The Dutch, who had 195 nationals onboard the flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, are leading an international investigation into the crash and it is unlikely the countries involved "will not be able or willing to lead the investigation and prosecution", Mr Opstelten wrote.