International Criminal Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Russian President
Pre-Trial Chamber Finds Substantial Evidence of War Crimes
March 17, 2023
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin. The warrant, issued on March 17, 2023, by Pre-Trial Chamber II, authorizes the arrest and detention of Putin for his alleged involvement in war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide committed in Ukraine.
The ICC's investigation, which began in February 2022, found substantial evidence to support charges against Putin. The evidence suggests that Putin intentionally targeted civilians and civilian infrastructure, carried out systematic and widespread attacks against the civilian population, and deported and forcibly transferred Ukrainian children to Russia.
The ICC is an independent international court that prosecutes individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. Its jurisdiction is limited to crimes committed in countries that are party to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the court, or that have accepted the court's jurisdiction. Russia is not a party to the Rome Statute.
Despite Russia's lack of membership in the ICC, the court retains jurisdiction over crimes committed by Russian nationals or on Russian territory. This is because Ukraine, as a state party to the Rome Statute, has accepted the court's jurisdiction. Therefore, the ICC has the authority to investigate and prosecute Putin for crimes committed in Ukraine.
The issuance of an arrest warrant is a significant step in the ICC's investigation. It is the first time that the court has issued a warrant for the arrest of a sitting head of state.
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