Malaysian transport minister Anthony Loke says there is no conclusive evidence that Russia is to blame for the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines flight 17, in contradiction with the findings of an international team of investigators.
Investigators said last week that detailed analysis of video images led them to conclude that the missile that brought down the flight originated from a Russian anti-aircraft missile brigade, Canada's Global News reported.
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But Loke told Channel NewsAsia that it was premature to "pinpoint at Russia" in explaining the crash.
"There is no conclusive evidence to point at Russia under the JIT [Joint Investigative Team] evidence," Loke said, adding that investigators' final report will be released in July.
Australia and the Netherlands, who both had many citizens onboard the plane, said they considered Russia responsible.
All 289 people onboard MH17 died when the flight, which was headed to the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur from Amsterdam, was blown over territory held by Russian-led forces in eastern Ukraine.
Russia says the investigation is biased, and hasn't taken into account all available evidence.
