Yesterday at 20:00
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued warrants for the arrest of former Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov who have commited various war crimes against Ukrainian population.
The ICC published a statement in its official website.
Shoigu and Gerasimov are suspected of war crimes, including striking civilian objects, causing excessive harm to the civilian population, and “crimes against humanity.”
“Pre-Trial Chamber II considered that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the two suspects bear responsibility for missile strikes carried out by the Russian armed forces against the Ukrainian electric infrastructure from at least 10 October 2022 until at least 9 March 2023,” the ICC stated.
The warrants are classified to protect witnesses and safeguard the investigations. However, the judges suggested that public awareness of the warrants is essential and may prevent some crimes in the future.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to the ICC’s decision, saying that making clear that Russian war criminals will not avoid justice is the only way to stop them. He added that Ukraine will be looking forward to hearing about more warrants for all those responsible for ‘heinous crimes against civilians in Ukraine’.
“Every criminal involved in the planning and execution of these strikes must know that justice will be served. And we do hope to see them behind bars. This decision is a clear indication that justice for Russian crimes against Ukrainians is inevitable. It clearly demonstrates that no military rank or cabinet door can shield Russian criminals from accountability,” Zelenskyy concluded.
