The verdict in the trial surrounding the MH17 disaster is ‘a relief’ for Anton Kotte. Three of the four suspects were sentenced to life imprisonment. Kotte lost his son Oscar, his daughter-in-law Miranda and his grandson Remco in the disaster. “I’m going to tell them tonight, in my mind.”
Hardly anyone is as well versed in the entire file as Anton. As a board member of the MH17 Aviation Disaster Foundation, he went to court armed to the teeth this Thursday morning. As a father who lost his children, he left with lead in his shoes.
“I hope they give me a signal.”
Relief. That is the best description of his feeling after the verdict, he says. As a father. “I’m going to tell them tonight, in my own way. In my mind. And then I hope they give me a heads up somehow. Well, you’ve been really busy lately. It’s been good like this.”
A congratulations is not in order, says Anton. Even though he is happy with the verdict. A statement he had expected, but which still worried him. Because it all seems as clear as a lump, you just don’t know. “Despite the fact that you have read so many files, the judge will make his own assessment. What will come out of that? Then the doubts will start to come again.”
“This is not possible, what Russia has done.”
The criminal process is now over. But his work for the foundation is far from finished. “As a foundation, we have a good story. It has now been proven that Russia is involved. You see, we have always thought so,” says Anton. It strengthens him in the thought that now no one can ignore that responsibility. “I would like to say to all world leaders: scratch your head, this is actually possible not what Russia has done.”
He hopes that the ruling will have consequences for the case that the foundation still has before the European Court of Human Rights. The ruling may also have a positive effect on the proceedings at the International Court of Justice.
“Oscar, Miranda and Remco are always there.”
“This gives new energy, no matter how crazy it is,” says Anton. He puts his hand on his heart. “They’re always here… They’re also in the car with me. I have three little cuddly toys in the car, they are Oscar, Miranda and Remco. They’re always there.”
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