ICC Issues Arrest Warrants for Former Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov
ICC Issues Arrest Warrants for Former Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Sergei Shoigu, the former Russian Defence Minister, and Valery Gerasimov, the current Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces. They are accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including targeting civilian areas and causing significant harm to civilian property.
Russian state media outlet TASS dismissed the ICC ruling as 'null and void,' stating that the ICC's jurisdiction does not extend to Russia. Shoigu currently leads the Security Council of Russia.
Ukrainian officials welcomed the news. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the ruling shows that no rank can protect Russian criminals from accountability. Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine's human rights ombudsman, and Andriy Yermak, chief of the Ukrainian presidential office, also expressed their approval, emphasizing the importance of holding individuals accountable.
Shoigu and Gerasimov are now on the ICC's wanted list, but it is uncertain if they will ever face trial, as Moscow is unlikely to hand them over. The ICC does not hold trials in absentia.
Previously, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Russian official Maria Lvova-Belova and President Vladimir Putin for allegedly deporting Ukrainian children to Russia. With these new warrants, four top Russian officials are now wanted for war crimes.
Doubts Revealed
ICC
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is a court that tries people for serious crimes like war crimes and crimes against humanity. It is located in The Hague, Netherlands.
Arrest Warrants
An arrest warrant is a document issued by a judge or a court that authorizes the police to arrest someone. In this case, the ICC has issued warrants to arrest Sergei Shoigu and Valery Gerasimov.
Sergei Shoigu
Sergei Shoigu is the former Defence Minister of Russia. He was responsible for the country's military and defense matters.
Valery Gerasimov
Valery Gerasimov is the Chief of Staff of the Russian military. He is one of the top military leaders in Russia.
War Crimes
War crimes are serious violations of the laws of war. This includes things like harming civilians or prisoners of war.
Crimes Against Humanity
Crimes against humanity are serious crimes that are committed against a large group of people. This can include things like genocide or widespread attacks on civilians.
Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction means the official power to make legal decisions and judgments. Russian media says the ICC has no power to make decisions in Russia.
Maria Lvova-Belova
Maria Lvova-Belova is a Russian official who was previously issued an arrest warrant by the ICC. She is involved in the same case as Sergei Shoigu and Valery Gerasimov.
Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Putin is the President of Russia. The ICC has also issued an arrest warrant for him in the past.
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