Just over a year after issuing arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and child protection official Maria Lvowa-Belova for alleged war crimes, the International Criminal Court has now also added army chief Valery Gerasimov and former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to its wanted list.
As the court in The Hague announced on Tuesday, this concerns alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the war in Ukraine. Specifically, the two defendants are accused of deliberate attacks on civilian objects and “inhumane acts” in Ukraine.
There are indications that they were responsible for targeted bombings by the Russian military on the Ukrainian power grid from October 2022 until at least March 2023. The World Criminal Court itself has no ability to execute arrest warrants. But all Contracting States to the Court are obliged to arrest and extradite to the Court the persons sought if they are within their territory.
Russia convicted of human rights violations in Crimea
Also on Tuesday, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that systematic human rights violations were taking place in Crimea’s Black Sea peninsula, which was annexed by Russia in 2014. The verdict against Russia was not about the annexation itself, but about the subsequent behavior of the occupiers.
This confirmed a lawsuit filed by Ukraine, which had alleged, among other things, unlawful arrests, beatings, the suppression of Ukrainian media and the Ukrainian language in schools. In addition, the Russian government persecuted pro-Ukrainian activists not only in Crimea, but throughout Ukraine and Russia.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
