Arrest Warrant Issued for Vladimir Putin: Wanted for Alleged Crimes

The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s commissioner for children’s rights, accusing them of war crimes over the invasion of Ukraine. This is the first international charges brought against a leader of a country with a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. The ICC does not recognize diplomatic immunity for leaders on charges of war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide, but Russia is not a party to the Rome Statute and is not likely to turn over the accused for prosecution. The arrest warrants will make Putin and Lvova-Belova international pariahs, and the 123 countries that have ratified the Rome Statute are urged to arrest any suspects in their territory. On Thursday, the UN Human Rights Council’s Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine accused Russia of a litany of war crimes in Ukraine, including the transfer of children.