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Russia does not recognize the International Criminal Court in The Hague
Photo: Peter Dejong / dpa
The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine is now also preoccupying the International Criminal Court: The chief prosecutor at the Hague Court, Karim Khan, announced that he would launch an investigation into the situation in Ukraine "as soon as possible".
There are "plausible reasons" to believe that "both alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity have been committed in Ukraine since 2014."
According to Khan, the investigations initially relate to possible crimes that were committed before the invasion of Russia.
In view of the "spreading of the conflict", however, the investigations should also be expanded in his opinion.
The court had already investigated incidents related to the crackdown on pro-European protests in Kyiv in 2013/2014, as well as the Russian occupation of Crimea in 2014 and in eastern Ukraine.
There is "sufficient basis to believe that both war crimes and crimes against humanity were committed in Ukraine," the chief prosecutor said.
The investigation should focus on possible crimes committed by all parties in the conflict.
Ukraine accuses Russia of attacking civilian targets.
According to official figures, at least eleven civilians were killed by Russian bombardments in the city of Kharkiv on Monday.
Ukraine is not a party to the International Criminal Court.
However, in statements since November 2013, the country has accepted the court's jurisdiction to try war crimes and crimes against humanity on its territory, according to the prosecution.
Russia does not recognize the court
The prosecutor must now first get a judicial approval for the investigation.
It is unclear when that will be decided.
Khan also called on states parties to support the investigation - including with financial means and employees.
Russia does not recognize the court.
In 2014, the conflict between pro-Russian separatists and the Ukrainian army began in eastern Ukraine.
Last week, Russia recognized the independence of the “People's Republics” of Luhansk and Donetsk, proclaimed by the separatists.
Shortly thereafter, Russia invaded Ukraine.
The then ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda had already complained about alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine in December 2020.
kim/dpa/AFP