Russia would like to involve a possible crown witness in the MH17 trial,
Vladimir Tsemach, in a prisoner exchange with Ukraine. Reported on the
basis of three different sources, including the independent Russian news
site The Insider.
 
Tsemach is a former military commander of the pro-Russian separatists who
was arrested by Ukrainian soldiers at the end of June of the summer.
According to some sources, the 58-year-old commander was at the time
commander of the air defense near the place where the Buk rocket was fired,
which shot down flight MH17.
 
The separatist soldier could be an important witness in the coming MH17
Trial. Sources of The Insider say that Moscow would even cancel the
exchange without him. Negotiations on a prisoner exchange take place behind
closed doors. According to Kiev, there is talk about it, but the
consultation has not yet been completed.
 
Editor's note:
 
This is Russia's attempt to not have this person testify at the hearings

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