In light of the situation in Ukraine, on March 17, 2023, Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court (the “Court” or “ICC”) issued arrest warrants for two individuals: Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova and Mr. Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin.
According to articles 8(2)(a)(vii) and 8(2)(b)(viii) of the Rome Statute, Mr. Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, President of the Russian Federation and born on October 7, 1952, is alleged to be responsible for the war crime of unlawful deportation of population (children) and unlawful transfer of population (children) from occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation. Since at least February 24, 2022, the crimes are said to have occurred in occupied territory controlled by Ukraine. Article 25(3)(a) of the Rome Statute says that Mr. Putin is personally responsible for the aforementioned crimes because he committed them directly, in collaboration with others, or through others. Additionally, article 28(b) of the Rome Statute says that he failed to exercise proper control over his civilian and military subordinates who committed the acts or allowed for their commission while they were under his effective authority and control.
Ms Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova, brought into the world on 25 October 1984, Chief for Youngsters’ Freedoms in the Workplace of the Leader of the Russian Organization, is supposedly liable for the atrocity of unlawful extradition of populace (kids) and that of unlawful exchange of populace (kids) from involved areas of Ukraine to the Russian League (under articles 8(2)(a)(vii) and 8(2)(b)(viii) of the Rome Rule). Since at least February 24, 2022, the crimes are said to have occurred in occupied territory controlled by Ukraine. According to article 25(3)(a) of the Rome Statute, there are good reasons to believe that Ms. Lvova-Belova bears individual criminal responsibility for the aforementioned offenses because she committed them directly, jointly with others, or through others.
Based on the Prosecution’s applications of February 22, 2023, Pre-Trial Chamber II concluded that each suspect is responsible for the war crime of wrongful deportation and wrongful transfer of population from occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation, putting Ukrainian children at risk.
In order to safeguard the investigation and safeguard victims and witnesses, the Chamber considered keeping the warrants secret. However, the Chamber deemed it to be in the best interest of justice to authorize the Registry to publicly disclose the existence of the warrants, the name of the suspects, the crimes for which the warrants are issued, and the modes of liability as established by the Chamber. The Chamber was aware that the conduct addressed in the current situation is allegedly ongoing and that public awareness of the warrants may contribute to the prevention of the further commission of crimes.
On February 22, 2023, the Prosecution submitted applications for the issuance of the aforementioned arrest warrants.