Joint Investigation Team (JIT) Established

The Netherlands, Australia, Belgium, Malaysia, and Ukraine formally establish the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to conduct the criminal investigation into the crash. The Netherlands — as the state with the most victims — leads the JIT. The Dutch National Prosecutor's Office, led by Fred Westerbeke (and later Dedy Woei-A-Sioe), heads the prosecution. Russia is notably absent despite invitations to join.