ICC comments on Russian arrest warrant for judge

The Presidium of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute has responded to reports that the ruling regime of the Russian Federation has issued an additional arrest warrant for a judge of the International Criminal Court (ICC). This is stated in a press release on the court's website published on Tuesday, August 1.

"The Presidency of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute deplores this new attempt to undermine the international mandate of the International Criminal Court and reiterates its firm support for the Court, its elected officials and staff. We reiterate our full confidence in the ICC as an independent and impartial judicial institution," the statement reads.

The ICC represents the commitment of its member states to ensure accountability for the most serious crimes of concern to the international community as a whole.

"We call on all states to respect the independence of the courts and to unite against impunity," the Presidency summarized.

As a reminder, the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs has put International Criminal Court judge Tomoko Akane on the wanted list, who issued an arrest warrant for Kremlin head Vladimir Putin.

In addition, in May, Russia put on the wanted list the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Karim Ahmad Khan, who had helped issue the arrest warrant for Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin earlier.

Author - Serhii Kolomiets, 02/08/2023