The International Criminal Court (ICC) at Hague in Netherlands on Friday issued an arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of being responsible of war crimes committed against children in Ukraine.
The ICC issued its first warrant for Putin’s arrest in Ukraine on suspicion of unlawful deportation of minors and unlawful movement of individuals from Ukrainian territory to the Russian Federation.
A warrant was also issued for Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s Commissioner for Children’s Rights, on the same accusations (under articles 8(2)(a)(vii) and 8(2)(b)(viii) of the Rome Statute).
A year ago, ICC prosecutor Karim Khan launched an investigation into alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide in Ukraine. On four travels to Ukraine, he emphasised that he was investigating suspected crimes against minors and the targeting of civilian infrastructure.
Reuters reported earlier this week that the court was set to issue warrants.
Moscow has constantly refuted charges that its forces have committed atrocities against its neighbour during the one-year invasion.
The Kremlin did not react quickly to a request for comment.
