The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant on Friday against Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of being responsible for war crimes committed in Ukraine.
Moscow has repeatedly denied accusations that its forces have committed atrocities during its one-year invasion of its neighbour.
Arrest Warrant For Putin Issued
The ICC issued the warrant for Putin’s arrest on suspicion of unlawful deportation of children and unlawful transfer of people from the territory of Ukraine to the Russian Federation.
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Earlier this week Reuters reported that the court was expected to issue warrants, the first in its investigation into the Ukraine conflict.
It also issued a warrant on Friday for the arrest of Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova, the Commissioner for Children’s Rights in the Office of the President of the Russian Federation, on similar allegations.
ICC prosecutor Karim Khan opened an investigation into possible war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in Ukraine a year ago.
He highlighted during four trips to Ukraine that he was looking at alleged crimes against children and the targeting of civilian infrastructure.
A “filtration” system designed to single out Ukrainians for detention, torture, and inhumane detention conditions were also discovered as part of the extensive investigation into crimes against Ukrainians committed on Russian soil. Deported Ukrainian children who were prevented from rejoining their families were also discovered.
Related: China hopes Russia and Ukraine will hold peace talks, says senior Chinese diplomat
Also Read: Russia Has Committed “Wide Range” Of War Crimes In Ukraine, Says UN
Sources: Reuters.com, Daily Mail.com, Townflex.com
