The Hague issues an arrest warrant
Buschmann: Germany obliged to arrest Putin
03/19/2023, 2:08 p.m
An international arrest warrant has been issued for Vladimir Putin. Germany is ready to arrest the Russian President immediately if he enters the country, Justice Minister Buschmann emphasized. Meanwhile, Moscow accuses Berlin of an escalation course.
Following the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Russian President Vladimir Putin, Federal Justice Minister Marco Buschmann explained the significance of the decision for Germany. “I expect that the ICC will quickly approach Interpol and the contracting states and ask them for enforcement,” said the FDP politician to “Bild am Sonntag”. “Germany is then obliged to arrest President Putin and hand him over to the ICC if he enters German territory,” Buschmann said.
Unlike national criminal prosecution authorities, the court in The Hague can also take action against heads of state according to its case law. The Kremlin reiterated that Russia does not recognize the jurisdiction of the ICC. “Russia is doing and will do what is in its interests,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, referring to Bushman’s statements. The Russian ambassador in Berlin, Sergei Neschajew, accused Germany of an escalation course.
Moscow wants to examine Buschmann’s statements
“The irresponsible statements by some German officials that they support and are prepared to implement the illegal and utterly absurd ICC decision are extremely worrying and indicate how far removed from reality they are in their quest to further escalate the conflict with Russia let it go,” said the diplomat. The National Investigative Committee in Moscow announced an investigation into Bushman’s statements, including a response.
The court in The Hague, Netherlands, issued an arrest warrant against Putin for war crimes in Ukraine on Friday. Investigators blame him for kidnapping children from occupied Ukrainian territory to Russian territory. Russia emphasizes that it has brought the children to safety before the fighting during the war. In addition to Russia, the USA and China also do not recognize the court. In total, more than 120 countries have ratified the Rome Statute.