The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Friday (March 17) issued an arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin for the “unlawful deportation” of Ukrainian children.
The Hague-based ICC said it had also issued a warrant against Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s presidential commissioner for children’s rights, on similar charges.
Ukraine’s presidency welcomed the International Criminal Court’s decision and said that this was just an initial step in restoring justice.
“The Hague Chamber of the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin. This is just the beginning,” Ukraine’s presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak said on social media.
Ukraine’s chief prosecutor echoed the sentiment.
“The world received a signal that the Russian regime is criminal and its leadership and henchmen will be held accountable,” Ukraine’s Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin said in a statement on social media. “This is a historic decision for Ukraine and the entire system of international law.”
Quite expectedly, Russia has said that the warrant issued by the ICC has ‘no meaning’ and is ‘legally void’.
(This is a breaking news. More to follow shortly)
