The International Criminal Court (ICC) announces in a statement that, on March 17, it issued an arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is considered responsible for war crimes committed in Ukraine since the start of the invasion. “Today, March 17, 2023, the ICC press release says, the II Pre-Trial Chamber of the ICC issued arrest warrants against two people, in the context of the situation in Ukraine: Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and Maria Alexeievna Lvova-Belova, presidential commissioner for children’s rights in Russia”. Vladimir Putin is “allegedly responsible for the illegal deportation of the population (children) and the illegal transfer of populations from the occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation,” the statement added.
“Personally responsible for the crimes committed”
“The crimes were allegedly committed on occupied Ukrainian territory at least since February 24, 2022,” the ICC statement continues, adding that there are “reasonable grounds to believe that Vladimir Putin is personally responsible for the aforementioned crimes.”
As is known, the ICC has been investigating for more than a year possible war crimes or crimes against humanity committed during the Russian offensive. ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan said a few days ago, after a visit to Ukraine, that the abduction of children was the subject of a priority investigation. However, it should be noted that neither Russia nor Ukraine are members of the ICC. However, Ukraine has accepted the jurisdiction of the ICC on its territory and is cooperating with the prosecutor. Russia denies the war crimes allegations, and experts have admitted the ICC is unlikely to name suspects in the case.
The arrest warrant issued by the ICC against Vladimir Putin has no significance in Russia’s eyes, the Russian Foreign Ministry said. “The decisions of the International Criminal Court have no significance for our country, including from a legal point of view,” said Maria Zaharova, spokeswoman for Russian diplomacy. Russia, she emphasized, is not a party to the International Criminal Court and has no obligation under such a statute, adding that “Moscow is not cooperating with it.”