European Parliament push for special tribunal to punish Russian crimes
January 20, 2023

European Parliament push for special tribunal to punish Russian crimes


In a resolution adopted on 19 January, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) urged the EU, in close cooperation with Ukraine and the international community, to push for the creation of a special international tribunal to prosecute Russia’s political and military leadership and its allies.

Establishing a tribunal would, MEPs say, fill a vacuum in international criminal justice and complement the investigative efforts of the International Criminal Court, as it currently cannot investigate the crime of aggression when it comes to Ukraine.

MEPs stress that the tribunal must have jurisdiction to investigate “not only Vladimir Putin and the political and military leadership of Russia, but also Aliaksandr Lukashenka and his cronies in Belarus”.

“Parliament strongly believes that the establishment of a special tribunal would send a very clear signal to both Russian society and the international community that President Putin and the Russian leadership at large can be convicted for the crime of aggression in Ukraine. MEPs point out that it is no longer feasible for the Russian Federation under Putin’s leadership to return to business as usual with the west,” says a press release by the European Parliament.

The text was adopted by 472 votes in favour, 19 against with 33 abstentions.

Find out more

Press release

Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine – a legal assessment



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