ICC Issues Arrest Warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin

What’s the story?

• The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin, alleging he is responsible for war crimes, including the unlawful deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia. 
• The ICC says the crimes have been committed in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022, when Russia launched its invasion, during which Moscow denied allegations of war crimes.
• This case represents the first international charges issued since the Ukraine-Russia war began. More than 40 countries in the ICC requested it take action.

What did Russia do?

• Russia relocated over 6,000 children and teenagers from Ukraine since the start of the war, which the court alleges is abduction. According to reports, many of the children were forced to engage in pro-Russia reeducation efforts. 
• The ICC launched a more extensive investigation into the war crimes of Russia against humanity or genocide in Ukraine. 

This is a breaking story and will be updated.

Do you think the ICC should arrest Putin?

-Jamie Epstein

(Photo credit: Flickr/Mitya Aleshkovsky)