MEPs want special court to try Russian crimes in Ukraine

MEPs demand that Russian political and military commanders be held accountable for the alleged crime of aggression committed by the Putin regime over Ukraine.

 

Parliament considers that the atrocities committed by Russia in Bucha, Irpin and many other Ukrainian cities show the brutality of war and stresses the importance of coordinated international action to bring those responsible to justice and prosecute them on the basis of international law. MEPs urge the EU, in close cooperation with Ukraine and the international community, to push for the establishment of a special international tribunal to prosecute Russian political and military leaders and their allies.

The establishment of a tribunal would, according to the plenary, fill a gap in international criminal justice and complement the investigative efforts of the International Criminal Court, which is currently unable to search for evidence of the crime of aggression in the Ukrainian case.

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The composition and methods of operation of the tribunal will have to be defined, but MEPs point out that it should have the capacity to investigate not only President Putin and the Russian political and military leadership, but also Aliaksandr Lukashenka and the rest of the Belarusian leadership.

They also emphasise that the EU should start its preparatory work for the tribunal immediately and concentrate on such preparations in cooperation with Ukraine. Ukrainian and international authorities should be supported in collecting and securing evidence for future use.

The House is confident that the establishment of a special tribunal would send a clear signal to Russian society and the international community that President Putin and the wider Russian leadership can be convicted of the crime of aggression against Ukraine. MEPs stress that it is no longer possible for Russia under Putin to return to normal relations with the West.

The text was adopted with 472 votes in favour, 19 against and 33 abstentions.

SOURCE: Press release – European Parliament