The Pre-Trial Chamber of the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for the former Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Valery Gerasimov, according to the ICC press service.
The warrants are related to the war in Ukraine for alleged international crimes committed between October 10, 2022, and March 9, 2023.
"There are reasonable grounds to believe they bear individual criminal responsibility for the aforementioned crimes," the statement reads.
The Pre-Trial Chamber recognized that there are reasonable grounds to believe that both suspects are responsible for missile strikes carried out by the Russian Armed Forces on Ukrainian electric infrastructure. During this period, a large number of strikes were inflicted by the Russian occupiers on numerous power plants and substations in various locations across Ukraine.
"Considering that the key factual allegations are duly supported by evidence and other relevant material submitted at this stage of the proceedings by the Prosecution, the Chamber considered that the statutory requirements are met to issue the sought warrants of arrest," the statement reads.
Ukrainian ombudsman’s reaction
Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets stated that justice for Ukraine is becoming more real.
"This is a significant decision for us! Sooner or later, just punishment will catch up with every war criminal! Only through joint efforts can we speed this up," he said.
ICC and the Rome Statute
The Rome Statute is an international treaty that established the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The ICC is a permanent international court that has jurisdiction over the four most serious crimes of concern to the international community: genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression.
As of June 25, 2024:
- 137 countries have signed the Rome Statute.
- 123 countries have ratified the Rome Statute.
ICC warrants against Russia
In March last year, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Additionally, a warrant was issued for Maria Lvova-Belova, the Presidential Commissioner for Children's Rights in Russia.