ICC issued an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin because of Ukraine

The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, accusing him of this war crimes due to the invasion of Ukraine.

Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, the Russian Commissioner for Children’s Rights, are wanted by the ICC for illegally deporting and transporting Ukrainian children to Russia.

The arrest warrants represent the first international charges brought since then Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and the first against the leader of a country with a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.

“This is an important moment in the justice process,” said ICC President Judge Piotr Hofmański. video statement.

Hofmański noted that, in accordance with procedures, the court’s chief prosecutor presented his case against the two to a panel of pre-trial judges, who concluded that there were “credible charges” against them.

The ICC does not recognize diplomatic immunity for leaders accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide.

Russia is not a signatory to the Rome Statute, the treaty that led to the ICC, and is unlikely to hand over Putin or Lvova-Belova for prosecution.

“The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin,” wrote Dmitry Medvedev, former Russian president and current deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council. Twitter. “No need to explain WHERE this paper should be used🧻.”

But the charges, which do not expire, will make the couple international pariahs.

The 123 countries who ratified the Rome Statute are called upon to arrest all suspects in their territory.

“The ICC is doing its part. As a court, judges have issued arrest warrants. Their execution depends on international cooperation,” Hofmański said.