Two international media yesterday put the alleged war crimes committed by Russia in the Ukraine conflict under scrutiny, based on information from unidentified sources.
On the one hand, The New York Times reported from Paris that the International Criminal Court (ICC), based in The Hague, “intends” to open two proceedings against humanity against Russia for two crimes: the alleged kidnapping of children and adolescents Ukrainians being sent to “Russian re-education camps”; and the alleged attacks against civilian infrastructure.
However, the New York newspaper clarifies that, before a trial or prosecution is issued, the chief prosecutor of the ICC, Karim Khan, must present the conclusions of the investigation that began a few months after the war began. –and the corresponding judicial charges– before the investigating judges of the Court.
The American newspaper also speculates on the possible arrest warrant against members of the Russian government or military and quotes “diplomats and experts” -also unidentified- who assure that President Vladimir Putin himself would be among those accused, since the ICC does not recognize the immunity of a head of state when it comes to war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide.
However, these same experts clarify that the probability of a trial for Putin or other Russian leaders is practically nil because the ICC cannot try a defendant in absentia and the Kremlin is not expected to hand over any of them, in case the conviction is confirmed. information.
In this regard, The New York Times acknowledges that it has not been able to obtain confirmation from the ICC prosecution, which has declined to comment on hypothetical arrest warrants, alleging that it does not comment on ongoing investigations.
Also the Reuters agency, from its correspondent in Amsterdam, affirmed yesterday that the opening of trials against Russia for war crimes is a fact, although it did not identify its source either, who spoke “on condition of anonymity”. However, the British agency assured that the arrest warrants against Russian officials would be issued “in the short term.”
The Kremlin has repeatedly denied that its military has committed war crimes in Ukraine. Russia insists it does not deliberately target civilians and says it is offering humanitarian aid to those who want to flee Ukraine voluntarily.
