Edtstadler clear: ‘Vladimir Putin may only come for negotiations’

“crown”: Madam Federal Minister, your statement “If Putin came to Austria, he would be arrested” caused quite a stir worldwide, even though there is an international warrant for his arrest. Are you holding up?
Karolina Edtstadler: I stay. Because Austria is a Contracting State to the Rome Statute, i.e. it is obliged to do so under international law. Our authorities must therefore execute arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court, otherwise Austria would be in breach of contract.

In your personal opinion, is Vladimir Putin a war criminal? What is he charged with legally as the biggest offense?
That is not my personal opinion, but that of the International Criminal Court. Of course, Austria must comply with international law. On the question of the crime, I can only say: I do not know the details of the arrest warrant.

Our Federal Criminal Investigation Department and the Directorate of State Security and Intelligence (DSN) are hunting several suspected war criminals in Austria. What are the sanctions? And do convicts in Austria go behind bars or are they extradited?
Yes, if there is an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court, war criminals must be arrested and extradited so that they can be tried. Naturally, we implement international law.

Assuming Ukrainian and Russian leaders want peace talks. Could Austria, as a neutral country, provide the “stage” for this? Is that legally possible?
Yes, in consultation with and via international bodies. I am happy and proud that Austria is repeatedly the scene of peace negotiations. Austria is and will remain a place of dialogue. We want to develop this further.