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Ukraine invasion: International Criminal Court investigates alleged Russian war crimes

  • International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor launches investigation with backing of 39 countries
  • Number of people fleeing Ukraine tops 1 million, the swiftest refugee exodus this century

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Ukraine invasion: Mothers, babies shelter in basement of children's hospital in Kyiv

Ukraine invasion: Mothers, babies shelter in basement of children's hospital in Kyiv
Agencies

The International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague has launched an investigation into possible war crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine.

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“I have notified the ICC Presidency a few moments ago of my decision to immediately proceed with active investigations in the Situation [in Ukraine]. Our work in the collection of evidence has now commenced,” ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan said in a statement late on Wednesday.

The prosecutor said that the investigation was launched following referrals from 39 ICC State Parties, including Germany, Britain and Georgia.

Thanks to recent advances in technology – including commercial satellite imagery and viral videos circulated on social media – Russian President Vladimir Putin’s brazen assault on Ukraine has become one of the most documented cases of suspected war crimes in history.

Given all of that potential evidence in the public domain, Khan earlier this week said there was a “reasonable basis to believe” that war crimes and crimes against humanity have been committed in Ukraine.

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UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson told Parliament on Wednesday that Putin was “guilty of a war crime” after civilians were bombed in Ukraine, echoing an earlier accusation by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
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