RT.com
27 May 2023, 08:13 GMT+10
Russia is investigating a prosecutor and several judges over the ICC arrest warrant for President Vladimir Putin
Images of prominent International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor Khan Karim Asad Ahmad and of ICC judge Rosario Salvatore Aitala have appeared on 'Wanted' notice boards in Moscow, several news outlets reported on Thursday. Each is part of a group of ICC officials charged by the Russian Investigative Committee over their role in issuing an arrest warrant for President Vladimir Putin.
Several Russian Telegram channels posted photos of public notice boards located in north-western Moscow bearing key details about the two ICC officials.
The images of the men appear among the photos of other suspects wanted by Russian law enforcement. An accompanying text says both officials are "absconding the investigative agencies." Khan and Aitala are charged with "attacking a person or an entity enjoying international protection" and with "instituting criminal proceedings against a knowingly innocent person," as well as with "illegally opening a criminal case," the text added, citing the relevant articles of Russia's Criminal Code.
Citizens reading the public notices are encouraged to relay to police any information that may lead to the officials' detention. It is unclear if it was Russian law enforcement that posted the images of the ICC prosecutor and judge on the 'Wanted' notice boards in Moscow, although the posts resemble other official notices issued by police. Russian officials have not commented on the development.
Khan, a British ICC prosecutor, was also put on the Russian Interior Ministry's 'Wanted' list, several Russian media outlets reported last Friday, citing the ministry's database. The ICC member states responded to the development by saying they were "deeply concerned" at Moscow's move. The court itself said in a separate statement that it considers Russia's actions "unwarranted and unjustified coercive measures."
Last week, Russia's Investigative Committee charged Khan and Aitala as well as two other ICC judges -Tomoko Akane and Sergio Gerardo Ugalde Godinez- in absentia, over the issuance of an arrest warrant for President Vladimir Putin. Khan and Aitala are the only two charged by Moscow so far.
According to the Investigative Committee, in late February Ahmad issued a request for an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin and for Maria Lvova-Belova, the presidential commissioner for children's rights, which was then approved by the three judges.
The Russian president and the commissioner were accused of being responsible for "unlawful deportation" of children from "occupied areas" of Ukraine to Russia. The tribunal itself is not recognized by Russia.
The Investigative Committee maintained that there were "no grounds for criminal liability" and added that, in any case, heads of state are immune to that kind of prosecution, under a UN convention. The Kremlin also dismissed the warrant against Putin as null and void. Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in May that it would be "unthinkable" for any nation to try and enforce the ICC ruling against a nuclear power.
(RT.com)
Get a daily dose of Sports Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Sports Sun.
More InformationLOUISVILLE, Kentucky: Two horses that succumbed to their injuries at Churchill Downs have become the 11th and 12th fatalities over ...
LAS VEGAS, Nevada: A bill was introduced in the Nevada Legislature to provide the Oakland Athletics up to $380 million ...
Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani flashed their power on Wednesday in the sort of one-upmanship that is always welcome for ...
Two teams that have struggled offensively could be heating up at the right time when the defending American League Central ...
The Boston Red Sox like what they've been getting from Chris Sale lately. The left-hander now gets an opportunity to ...
Two years ago, the Arizona Diamondbacks endured one of the worst seasons in franchise history, finishing with 110 losses. The ...
After a nine-month hiatus, Brandt Snedeker has his sights set on returning to the PGA Tour at this week's Memorial ...
The Denver Broncos signed well-traveled Elliott Fry on Wednesday after releasing fellow kicker Brandon McManus last week. Terms were not ...
The agent for Aaron Rodgers requested that the Green Bay Packers either fire their general manager or trade the quarterback ...
The Denver Broncos are signing well-traveled Elliott Fry after releasing fellow kicker Brandon McManus last week, NFL Network and 9News ...
New York Jets coach Robert Saleh on Wednesday provided promising updates on the health of star quarterback Aaron Rodgers and ...
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick on Wednesday took responsibility for the team being stripped of two organized team ...