Special tribunal for Putin and Russian government leaders may be created by end of 2024 – DW
Photo: EPA
A special tribunal for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russia's ruling elite will most likely be established by the end of 2024.
European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders expressed this hope in a comment to DW during the "Restoring Justice for Ukraine" conference, which was recently held in The Hague, Netherlands.
"We are conducting discussions about this tribunal with various international actors. Two main options are being considered: an international tribunal based on a multilateral agreement or a simplified decision based on a bilateral agreement between Ukraine and the Council of Europe," the European Commissioner said.
Reynders also noted that a new system of judicial transfer was created in the European Union.
"Yes, if a criminal trial is ongoing in Ukraine, particularly regarding the crime of aggression, it can be transferred to such a special tribunal," the official explained.
He believes the tribunal's creation is at the final stage and emphasizes that the next step is "a matter of political will."
"It is only the beginning of the year, and by the end of the year, this [the creation of a special tribunal — ed.] may become possible," Reynders concluded.
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According to the results of the "Restoring Justice for Ukraine" conference, which was held on April 2 in The Hague (Netherlands), representatives of 44 states supported the idea of creating a special tribunal for Russia for crimes committed against Ukraine during the war. Politicians adopted a corresponding declaration.
As previously reported by Rubryka, on March 17, 2023, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for the President of the Russian Federation, Putin, and the Russian Commissioner for Children's Rights, Maria Lvova-Belova. They are suspected of illegal deportation and relocation of Ukrainian children.
If they travel outside Russia to countries that are part of the ICC and have ratified the Rome Statute, they must be arrested and brought before a court.
