By threatening the ICC Russia disregards international law, says Borrell
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Published by EU’s Diplomatic Service, the statement describes Russia’s actions as “baseless, unjustified, and unacceptable.”
“The European Union deplores the criminal proceedings initiated by Russian authorities against the Prosecutor and three Judges of the International Criminal Court,” the message reads.
“Any Russian acts against the ICC’s mandate and attempts to intimidate those involved in the ICC’s investigation of international crimes committed in Ukraine are politically motivated, baseless, unjustified and unacceptable. They are further expression of the Kremlin’s disregard for international rules and international law.”
Borrell emphasized that the EU provides full support to the ICC and its staff.
Read also: EU calls for criminal accountability of Russia for environmental damage in Ukraine
On May 19, the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs declared prosecutor of the International Criminal Court Karim Khan a wanted person. Khan had previously emphasized that there is convincing evidence in the ICC that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin bears criminal responsibility for the deportation of Ukrainian children from occupied Ukrainian territories.
On March 17, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and Russia’s children’s ombudsman, Maria Lvova-Belova, for their involvement in unlawful removal of children from Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.
Read also: ICC team arrives in Kherson to document Russian war crimes
As explained by the head of the ICC, Piotr Hofmański, the Russian dictator can now be arrested in 123 countries that have ratified the Rome Statute.
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