The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court said on Wednesday that he would immediately launch an investigation into allegations of war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide committed in Ukraine.
Why it matters: Ukraine has accused Russian forces of indiscriminately shelling civilian areas and using the definition of “genocide” as a claim to invasion.
- The launch of the investigation could pave the way for those involved in the conflict to be tried in The Hague.
- ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan has been able to speed up the start of the investigation after referrals from 39 countries.
The big picture: The investigation will run until November 21, 2013, the first day of Euromaidan protests in Ukraine, which eventually led to the ouster of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych and later to Russia’s interventions in Crimea and Donbass.
What are they saying: “[I]”In its preliminary examination of the situation in Ukraine, my service has already found a reasonable basis to believe that crimes have been committed under the jurisdiction of the Court and has identified potential cases that would be admissible,” Khan said in a statement.
- “In the ongoing investigation, I reiterate my call on all those involved in hostilities in Ukraine to adhere strictly to the applicable rules of international humanitarian law.