Air raids on School of Fine Arts and to maternity hospital. Residential buildings wrapped in flames after hitting the tanks. Over 900 civilians have been killed within a few weeks.
Is Russian President Vladimir Putin a war criminal? A number of elements emerge from the unprovoked and brutal invasion of Ukraine, leading some world leaders, including US President Joe Biden use that designation.
The question now is what do Biden’s comments meanwhich went on to describe Putin as a “murderous dictator” and a “clear criminal” for the war in Ukraine from now on.
THE Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday, he showed no concern that Biden’s reports would disrupt talks with Russia. He told CNN that he is ready for talks with Putin.
Biden’s comments were a milestone, as top officials largely avoided saying that war crimes were being committed in Ukraine, citing ongoing debates over whether the term could be used. However, as soon as Biden said the words “I think he is a war criminal” to reporters in a irrelevant eventthe White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the president’s comments were “from the heart”. Other officials used similar vocabulary.
“When you speak from the heart, you speak like a human being and you see what we all see in the images broadcast on television, a Russian attack on a maternity hospital in Mariupol, on apartment buildings, on schools, on civilian neighborhoods, it is difficult not to draw that conclusion.” , said Mr. State Department spokesman Ned Price on CNN.
His statement followed US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken that he “personally” agrees with Biden’s characterization of Putin, with Jen Psaki telling reporters that the top US diplomat was also speaking from the heart.
What is all this talk about? While terms like “War crimes” and “War criminal” often used in colloquial, o Their legal definition can be used in the event of prosecution. THE Geneva Conventionidentifies as a war crime the deliberate targeting of civilians.
In other words, the White House is careful not to precede international investigations into the Russian invasion.
How long does a war crimes investigation last? Investigations by the International Criminal Court can take several years, and only a few court decisions have been made.
In other words, It may take some time for them to gain legal weight Biden’s references to “war crimes”, if any.
It is worth noting that the court judges people and not countrieswhile focusing on those who had the greatest share of responsibility: leaders and officials.
Ukraine may not be a member of the tribunal, but it accepts its jurisdiction. Putin could therefore theoretically be indicted by the court for having previously ordered war crimes in Crimea.
However, the International Criminal Court, does not conduct trials in absentiatherefore, either Russia should extradite him or he should be arrested outside Russia, – which seems unlikely.
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