International Criminal Court arrest warrants for Russian figures

Vladimir Putin, defense minister Sergei Shoigu (right) and chief of Russia's general staff Valery Gerasimov.

On 17 March 2023, following an investigation of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, and Maria Lvova-Belova, Russian commissioner for children's rights, alleging responsibility for the war crime of unlawful deportation and transfer of children during the Russo-Ukrainian War.[1] The warrant against Putin is the first against the leader of a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.[2]

As of June 2024, the ICC has also issued arrest warrants for Viktor Sokolov, Sergey Kobylash, Sergei Shoigu and Valery Gerasimov, all officers in the Russian military accused of directing attacks at civilian objects and the crime against humanity of "inhumane acts" under the Rome Statute.[3][4][5]

The 124 member states of the ICC are obliged to detain and transfer any of the indicted individuals if any of them set foot on their territory.[6]

  1. ^ "Situation in Ukraine: ICC judges issue arrest warrants against Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova". International Criminal Court. 17 March 2023. Archived from the original on 17 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  2. ^ Corder, Mike; Casert, Raf (17 March 2023). "International court issues war crimes warrant for Putin". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 17 March 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  3. ^ International Criminal Court press release about arrest warrants against Sergei Kobylash and Viktor Sokolov, International Criminal Court, 5 March 2024, Wikidata Q124748309, archived from the original on 5 March 2024
  4. ^ Situation in Ukraine: ICC judges issue arrest warrants against Sergei Kuzhugetovich Shoigu and Valery Vasilyevich Gerasimov, International Criminal Court, 25 June 2024, Wikidata Q126902384, archived from the original on 25 June 2024
  5. ^ "Russia/Ukraine: ICC arrest warrants for senior Russian officials 'a crucial step towards justice'". Amnesty International. 25 June 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  6. ^ Deutsch, Anthony; Berg, Stephanie van den (20 March 2023). "Explainer: What does the ICC arrest warrant mean for Putin?". Reuters. Archived from the original on 14 May 2023. Retrieved 23 March 2023.