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Wow! Intl Criminal Court “has concluded that there is a reasonable basis at this time to believe that a broad range of conduct constituting war crimes and crimes against humanity within the jurisdiction of the Court have been committed in the context of the situation in Ukraine.” https://twitter.com/intlcrimcourt/status/1337474598917566466
Continued: “These findings... include three broad clusters of victimisation: (i) crimes committed in the context of the conduct of hostilities; (ii) crimes committed during detentions; and (iii) crimes committed in Crimea.”
This is really a big deal for Ukraine. The ICC is talking about full investigations of "alleged crimes committed on the territory of Ukraine from 20 February 2014 onwards." That includes Maidan massacre, potentially crimes against Crimean Tatars, crimes committed in Donbas, etc.
This means the ICC will be looking at alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity carried out by Russia/Russians and the Kremlin's proxies on Ukrainian territory. Huge win and an early New Year's gift for Kyiv.
The list of potential war crimes committed by Russia and its proxies in Ukraine and against Ukrainians is long. But here's one example—extrajudicial killings. My colleagues and I documented (w/ docs and interviews) executions by firing squad in July 2014. https://www.rferl.org/a/the-executioners-of-slovyansk/30743132.html
Some clarification: I'm speaking to war crimes experts & lawyers now to better understand ICC decision & it does mean that all potential crimes will be investigated, meaning those allegedly committed by Ukraine, as well as non-state actors on all sides.
If you're curious what could be investigated as war crimes & crimes against humanity on Ukrainian side, I'd imagine things like Azov & Aidar battalions' alleged torture of detainees in 2014; probably SBU detentions & alleged torture of citizens accused of spying/Russia sympathy.
And, hopefully, the ICC will look at Oleh Lyashko's and his gang's extrajudicial murders of non-combatants in Torez, which I documented on the scene on May 23, 2014. https://www.kyivpost.com/article/content/war-against-ukraine/militia-backed-by-presidential-candidate-lyashko-takes-credit-for-murder-of-russian-backed-separatists-349093.html
Reaction from Ukraine's foreign minister:
@DmytroKuleba calls the ICC decision "historic" and says, "International justice may not be served fast, but it is surely inevitable. One day Russian criminals will face trial." https://twitter.com/DmytroKuleba/status/1337480958761717768
@DmytroKuleba calls the ICC decision "historic" and says, "International justice may not be served fast, but it is surely inevitable. One day Russian criminals will face trial." https://twitter.com/DmytroKuleba/status/1337480958761717768
