Next ICC warrant against Putin could be for Mariupol famine - Mariupol official

He made this statement on Espreso TV.

"Putin could get the next warrant for organizing a famine, which is clearer to the world than abducting children. The Guardian didn’t cover it fully, but it's interesting. The Russians opened this Pandora's box themselves. They tried to push for a warrant against Netanyahu for Gaza to negate the one against Putin. The ICC prosecutor was accused of organizing famine in Gaza, showing Hague prosecutors are willing to consider it," Andryushchenko explained.

He added that Ukrine's President’s Office lawyers have already submitted a dossier to the ICC, potentially leading to another accusation against Putin for the famine.

"This dossier has revealing conclusions. It shows that during Mariupol's occupation, four phases were used. Each phase indicates genocide and the deliberate intent not to protect civilians but to increase casualties. The official number is 22,000, but it’s not final. There will be consequences. The Russian leadership will be punished for the deaths of at least 22,000 Mariupol residents," Andryushchenko emphasized.

Background: Putin's arrest warrant

On March 17, 2023, the International Criminal Court in The Hague issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Russian Commissioner for Children, Maria Lvova-Belova.

Various states and international organizations reacted to the ICC's decision. Representatives from Great Britain and Canada joined in, supporting the court's position.

US President Joe Biden stated that the ICC's warrant for Putin's arrest was justified due to his war crimes.

Putin was scheduled to visit South Africa for the BRICS summit. South African authorities said they were aware of the ICC's warrant and their legal obligations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also reacted, emphasizing that Russia will be held accountable for its terror against Ukraine and its people.

The South African Prosecutor's Office received the warrant for Putin's arrest, indicating he could be detained if he visits South Africa.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa later stated under oath that the Kremlin threatened war if Putin was arrested during the BRICS summit.

However, on July 19, it was announced that at the BRICS summit on August 22-24 in South Africa, Russia would be physically represented by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, while Putin would participate online. The US State Department called Putin an "international outcast."

On July 27, it was reported that in Russia, ICC judge Tomoko Akane, who issued the warrant for Putin's arrest, was now wanted.