(Facebook/Hans de Borst)
The father of a Dutch teenager killed after MH17 was shot down last week over Eastern Ukraine has written an open to whoever is responsible for shooting the plane down, accusing either Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russian separatists or the Ukrainian government of ruining his life.
Hans de Borst lost his only daughter, Elsemiek, in the crash. She was only 17 and on her way, with her brother, mother and stepfather, for vacation. De Borst signed the letter as “Elsemieks father Hans de Borst from Monster, The Netherlands, whose life is ruined!!”
Here’s what you need to know about the grieving father:
1. He Said Whoever Is Responsible Murdered His ‘Loved and Only Child’
(Facebook/Hans de Borst)
In the open letter, which was translated to English on de Borst’s Facebook page, de Borst called his daughter his “loved and only child.” The letter reads:
Thank you very much mister Putin, leaders of the separatists or the Ukraine government!
For murdering my loved and only child, Elsemiek de Borst!
She was 17 years old, 5th “gymnasium” student at the “Segbroek College” in Den Haag.
And she was on her way to her holiday in Maleisië together with her little brother, her mom (my ex-wife) and her stepfather.Elsemiek would have done her final school exams next year, together with her best friend Julia and Marina, she did so good in school!
After that she wanted to go to the “Technical University Delft” to study engineering, she was looking forward to it!
2. He Said He Hopes Putin, Separatist Leaders or the Ukrainian Government are ‘Proud to Have Shot her’
(Facebook/Hans de Borst)
In the letter, which is addressed to, “mister Putin, leaders of the separatists or the Ukraine government” de Borst writes:
Aforementioned misters, I hope you’re proud to have shot her, amongst other, young life and future.
And that you will be able to look at yourself in the mirror tomorrow morning.I hope you will receive this message, maybe translated in English (what you as a intelligent gentleman could read just fine)
Thanks again!
3. He Said He Wants Putin and the Russian Military to Guard the MH 17 Crash Site
(Facebook/Hans de Borst)
At the end of the letter, de Borst said he hoped Putin learned something from his “conversation” with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who has gone on record saying, “all political, economic and financial options,” were in jeopardy if Dutch investigators were not given greater access to the crash site of MH 17, according to The Financial Times.
PS mister Putin, I hope that your intense conversation with our prime-minster Rutte opened your eyes!
I know you are impressed by this and I would find it impressive if you took the initiative to guard the crash-sight with the Russian military, so the Dutch investigators can do their job.
Thanks in advance.
4. He’s not the Only Grieving Parent Pleading to Putin
(Facebook/Hans de Borst)
De Borst isn’t the only parent of an MH17 victim who has criticized Putin for his involvement and lack of response to the MH17 crash. A Dutch mother has also appealed directly to Putin, asking him to do more to send the bodies of MH17 victims back to their families. Silene Fredriksz-Hoogzand lost her son and his girlfriend on the doomed flight, told the Associated Press, “I am not a politician. But I know for sure that Mr. Putin can do something.”
In an interview with Sky News, she made the following request of Putin: “Mr. Putin, send my children home. Send them home. Please.”
5. He Works in Banking
(Facebook/Hans de Borst)
According to his Facebook page, De Borst works for ING. He lives in the town of Monster in The Netherlands, which is roughly an hour and 10 minutes west of Amsterdam.
You can read the full letter here: