Vladimir Putin was arrested for war crimes allegedly committed after a “dramatic” move by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Could the Russian president be held and tried? Sky News explains.
What are the fees?
The court gave a statement and issued the warrant for Mr Putin’s arrest in connection with the suspicion of unlawful deportation, unlawful transfer of persons from Ukraine to the Russian Federation.
It issued a warrant to Maria Alekseyevna Lvova–Belova, Russia’s commissioner for children’s rights, for similar allegations.
Ukraine war: Latest arrest warrant for Putin to ‘could hasten he removal’
The Court’s 123 member countries will be forced to arrest and transfer the Russian president to The Hague to face trial.
Since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2013, Moscow denies any war crimes.
Maria Zakharova, Russian foreign ministry spokesperson, stated that the International Criminal Court’s decisions have no legal meaning for Russia.
“Russia is not a member of the Rome Statute of International Criminal Court, and it does not have any obligations under it.”
Should Putin be detained and tried?
Sky News’ legal commentator Joshua Rozenberg said that the arrest warrant was a “dramatic” move by the ICC prosecutor.
He said that Mr Putin would not stand trial if he was arrested, and that he wouldn’t be arrested while he continues to run Russia.
He also said that the same applies to Ms Lvova Belova.
Rozenberg stated that the ICC does not have a police force and relies on state cooperation to do so.
He said, “As it stands, nothing very significant is going to happen in short term.”
“Nevertheless, it does indicate that criminal charges could be brought against Putin – something Putin would have known from the beginning.
He said, “This is the beginning for what many people hope will be international criminal justice.”
“But clearly, as long as he is in Moscow and in charge, nothing much will happen.”
What does it mean for diplomacy
According to Sean Bell, a military analyst, the arrest warrant could block any off-ramp that Mr Putin might use to end war.
He stated that it was difficult to imagine how Putin would negotiate if he faced trial at the end.
He stated that anything that further isolates Putin’s position poses a risk. It could lead to him increasing his resolve to keep the conflict going.
“It doesn’t seem to me like this is going to bring an end to the war anytime soon.”
Dominic Waghorn, Sky News’ international affairs editor, says that the warrant raises far greater concerns than any diplomatic solution.
Rozenberg stated that the ICC charges could lead to Mr Putin being further isolated and the removal of Russia’s Security Council membership.
He said: “The International Criminal Court does not belong to the United Nations. It is an independent body that has been established by several states.
It also has close links to the United Nations, as the United Nations can refer cases directly to the International Criminal Court. It is a matter for United Nations.
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Why are these charges?
Rozenberg pointed out that illegal deportation is an insignificant charge when compared to the crimes of Vladimir Putin during the war on Ukraine.
He said that it was the “most practical charge”.
Sky News was told by him that the ICC had chosen to bring this particular accusation to public attention.
He stated that this was a practical case in which the prosecutor has sufficient evidence to prove the court and authorize an arrest warrant.
Rozenberg stated that while Mr Putin is the ultimate goal, it is unlikely to occur right away. “But who knows what’s going on.”
Continue reading:
Meet a woman charged with following Putin to the dock
“I want Putin to Die” – Anger and shock after Russian missiles struck Kyiv
What’s the ICC?
The court is an international intergovernmental tribunal and international organisation based in The Hague (Netherlands). It investigates and trials individuals accused of the most serious crimes that concern the international community.
These offences include genocide and war crimes as well as crimes against humanity, aggression, and crimes against humanity.
The ICC was established in July 2002 and began its operations in July 2002.
It is governed under an international treaty known as the Rome Statute, and is the first permanent international criminal court.
The court is made up of 123 countries. However, this excludes India, Indonesia and China.
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