What you need to know about war crimes — and how Putin could be prosecuted
Following calls by many people for the International Criminal Court to investigate and prosecute President Vladimir Putin of Russia over the atrocities being committed by his troops in the invasion of Ukraine, the court said it would immediately proceed with an active investigation.
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"I want to be very clear about this, that Mr. Putin is a war criminal," former Ukrainian prime minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk told the Council on Foreign Relations.
"He has to sit behind the bars in International Criminal Court."
In this report, Legit.ng brings you everything you need to know about war crimes.
What is a war crime?
The International Criminal Court has specific definitions for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression.
Specifically, targeting civilian populations, violating the Geneva Conventions, targeting specific groups of people and more could be potential Russian war crimes, CNN reports.
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What are cluster bombs and vacuum bombs?
With a cluster bomb, a missile is fired and explodes thousands of feet in the air, releasing smaller bombs that each detonate when they fall to the ground. Amnesty International said a Russian cluster bomb fell on a Ukrainian preschool.
Is Russia using these weapons?
The US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, told the UN General Assembly on Wednesday that Russia was preparing to use these weapons.
What is the International Criminal Court?
Located in The Hague, Netherlands, and created by a treaty called the Rome Statute first brought before the United Nations, the International Criminal Court operates independently.
Most countries on Earth -- 123 of them -- are parties to the treaty, but there are very large and notable exceptions, including Russia and the US. And, for that matter, Ukraine.
Who can be tried by the court?
Anyone accused of a crime in the jurisdiction of the court, which includes countries that are members of the ICC, can be tried.
Putin could, therefore, theoretically be indicted by the court for previously ordering war crimes in Crimea.
However, the ICC does not conduct trials in absentia, so he would either have to be handed over by Russia or arrested outside of Russia.
What crimes does the court handle?
The ICC is meant to be a court of "last resort" and is not meant to replace a country's justice system. The court, which has 18 judges serving nine-year terms, tries four types of crimes: genocide, crimes against humanity, crimes of aggression and war crimes.
What will the ICC investigate in relation to Ukraine?
In its new investigation into Russia's possible war crimes, the ICC has said it will look at all actions in Ukraine from 2013 to the present.
Read also
Invasion of Ukraine: Sanctions introduced on Russia equal to declaration of war, Putin says
Russia first entered Crimea, which has been part of Ukraine, in 2014. The ICC was already investigating crackdowns on protesters by a previous Ukrainian government that was pro-Russian. This new referral seems to put all potential war crimes together.
How long do these investigations take?
ICC investigations can take a very long time.
200 Nigerians apply to join Ukrainian Army
Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that some Nigerians in a voluntary attempt indicated their interest to join the Ukrainian forces in the fight against Russia.
It was reported that no fewer than 200 persons were said to have made their intentions known. A source, who does not want his name on print was quoted to have said:
"About 200 Nigerians have applied to go and fight for Ukraine in the struggle against Russian invasion and the number is increasing."
Russian Invasion: Nigerian Volunteer Fighters Besiege Ukraine Embassy in Abuja
Reacting to the development, the second secretary of the Ukraine Embassy in Abuja, Bohdan Soltys, confirmed the development, adding that no step had yet been taken to that effect.
It was gathered that the men, who besieged the Ukraine Embassy in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, also put down their names in a register provided by the embassy.
It was learnt that about 115 young Nigerian men had put down their names.
Russia-Ukraine War: Soyinka, 167 other Nobel Laureates condemn further attacks
One hundred and sixty-eight Nobel Laureates including Nigeria’s Prof. Wole Soyinka, have called for an immediate halt of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. The Nobel Laureates, in an open letter, voiced their support for the Ukrainians people and the free and independent state of Ukraine as it faced Russian aggression.
According to them, there is always a peaceful way to resolve disputes, saying that the Russian invasion blatantly violated the United Nations Charter, which says, 'All members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.'
The Nobel Laureates said the Russian invasion would stain the international reputation of the Russian state for decades to come and that it would pose barriers to its economy and inflict hardships on its population
Source: Legit.ng
