ICC to investigate possible war crimes in Ukraine
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The International Criminal Court (ICC) will launch an investigation into possible “war crimes and crimes against humanity” in Ukraine, the chief prosecutor announced late Monday as the Russian invasion of the country enters its sixth day.
“There is a reasonable basis to proceed with opening an investigation,” Karim Khan said in a statement, adding that the probe will look into crimes “committed by any party to the conflict on any part of the territory of Ukraine.
Based in Hague, the ICC was established in 2002 to investigate heinous offenses and crimes in cases where the national court fails to act.
Khan noted that the investigation into the situation in Ukraine is to open “as rapidly as possible.”
The ICC’s announcement came hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for an international tribunal to step in following Russia’s shelling of the city of Kharkiv, targeting residential areas.
Russian President Vladimir Putin launched an attack on Ukraine on Thursday, with explosions being heard across the country, raising fears of a major war.
At least 352 people have been killed, including 14 children, since the invasion began, the AFP reported on Tuesday.
The fighting in Ukraine has so far pushed more than half a million people across the country’s border into neighboring countries, reported the UN refugee agency.
Moscow is facing international opposition and is becoming increasingly isolated as the United States and its allies continue to expand economic, diplomatic, and cultural sanctions on Russia and Putin.
“There is a reasonable basis to proceed with opening an investigation,” Karim Khan said in a statement, adding that the probe will look into crimes “committed by any party to the conflict on any part of the territory of Ukraine.
Based in Hague, the ICC was established in 2002 to investigate heinous offenses and crimes in cases where the national court fails to act.
Khan noted that the investigation into the situation in Ukraine is to open “as rapidly as possible.”
The ICC’s announcement came hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for an international tribunal to step in following Russia’s shelling of the city of Kharkiv, targeting residential areas.
Russian President Vladimir Putin launched an attack on Ukraine on Thursday, with explosions being heard across the country, raising fears of a major war.
At least 352 people have been killed, including 14 children, since the invasion began, the AFP reported on Tuesday.
The fighting in Ukraine has so far pushed more than half a million people across the country’s border into neighboring countries, reported the UN refugee agency.
Moscow is facing international opposition and is becoming increasingly isolated as the United States and its allies continue to expand economic, diplomatic, and cultural sanctions on Russia and Putin.