The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for President Vladimir Putin of Russia for war crimes, according to media reports.
ICC says Putin bore responsible for the war crime of unlawful deportation of population children and that of unlawful transfer of population children from occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation against the Rome Statues under articles 8(2)(a)(vii) and 8(2)(b)(viii).
The Court says there are reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Putin bears individual criminal responsibility for the crimes which includes; directly, jointly with others and/or through others (article 25(3)(a) of the Rome Statute), and for his failure to exercise control properly over civilian and military subordinates who committed the acts, or allowed for their commission, and who were under his effective authority and control, pursuant to superior responsibility (article 28(b) of the Rome Statute).
Ms Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova, who is the Commissioner for Children’s Rights in the Office of the President of the Russian Federation, is allegedly responsible for the war crime of unlawful deportation of population (children) and that of unlawful transfer of population (children) from occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation against articles 8(2)(a)(vii) and 8(2)(b)(viii) of the Rome Statute).
Both Putin and Ms Maria allegedly committed the crime in Ukrainian occupied territory at least from 24 February 2022.
“There are reasonable grounds to believe that Ms Lvova-Belova bears individual criminal responsibility for the aforementioned crimes, for having committed the acts directly, jointly with others and/or through others (article 25(3)(a) of the Rome Statute).” ICC said at a press release.
ICC says, based on the Prosecution’s applications of 22 February 2023, there are reasonable grounds to believe that each suspect bears responsibility for the war crime of unlawful deportation of population and that of unlawful transfer of population from occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation, in prejudice of Ukrainian children.
The trial Chamber it considered that the warrants are secret in order to protect victims and witnesses and also to safeguard the investigation.
“Nevertheless, mindful that the conduct addressed in the present situation is allegedly ongoing, and that the public awareness of the warrants may contribute to the prevention of the further commission of crimes, the Chamber considered that it is in the interests of justice to authorise the Registry to publicly disclose the existence of the warrants, the name of the suspects, the crimes for which the warrants are issued, and the modes of liability as established by the Chamber.” ICC statement reads.
President of Ukraine Zelenskyy statement after issue of warrant of arrest.
