International Criminal Court Will Prosecute Russian War Crimes in Ukraine

The International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague wants to prosecute Russians for war crimes committed during the conflict in Ukraine. The New York Times reports this on Monday. So there would already be two files ready.

Earlier this month, after a visit to Ukraine, ICC prosecutor Karim Kahn said the alleged child abductions were “the subject of a priority investigation”. Several Ukrainian children were reportedly taken to Russia and placed for adoption or placed in re-education camps.

According to The New York Times, the Court will focus primarily on that and the allegations of targeted attacks on public infrastructure, such as electricity and hydroelectric power stations, and civilian targets.

According to the newspaper, the ICC plans to apply for arrest warrants against several Russians. The attorney declined to comment. Before prosecution, Khan must present his specific charges to a panel of judges to decide whether legal standards have been met or more evidence is needed. Only then can action be taken, and the arrest warrants can be made official.

Neither Russia nor Ukraine is a member of the International Criminal Court. But after Kyiv’s approval, the ICC has jurisdiction in the conflict area.