Thu 23 March 2023:
Following the release of a war crimes arrest warrant for President Vladimir Putin, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has expressed concern over “threats” from Russia.
After a threat by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to launch hypersonic missiles at the war crimes tribunal in The Hague, the International Criminal Court (ICC) expressed its concern on Wednesday. It also came after Russia’s top investigative body filed a criminal complaint against the judges who authorized Putin’s arrest warrant as well as ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan.
The presidency of the ICC’s Assembly of States Parties said it “regrets these attempts to hinder international efforts to ensure accountability for acts that are prohibited under general international law”.
BREAKING: PUTIN’S ARREST WARRANT ISSUED BY ICC FOR WAR CRIMES IN UKRAINE
The assembly also “reaffirms its unwavering support for the International Criminal Court”, the presidency said.
“The International Criminal Court embodies our collective commitment to fight impunity for the gravest international crimes. As an institution of last resort, the Court is complementary to national jurisdictions. We call on all States to respect its judicial and prosecutorial independence,” it added.
Medvedev said on Monday: “It’s quite possible to imagine a hypersonic missile being fired from the North Sea from a Russian ship at The Hague courthouse.”
He added: “Everyone walks under God and rockets… Look carefully to the sky…”
The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Putin on Friday, accusing him of illegally deporting thousands of Ukrainian children, a war crime.
The legal move will obligate the court’s 123 member states to arrest Putin and transfer him to The Hague for trial if he sets foot on their territory.
Although neither Russia nor Ukraine are members of the ICC, Kyiv has granted the court jurisdiction to prosecute crimes committed on its territory. The tribunal also lacks its own police force and must rely on arrests made by member states.
On similar charges, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s presidential commissioner for children’s rights.
Moscow declared the orders “null and void,” and Russia’s top Investigative Committee concluded that Putin faced no criminal charges. It also stated that under a 1973 United Nations convention, heads of state had absolute immunity.
SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES
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