Russia’s Internal Ministry puts ICC judge who issued Putin's arrest warrant on wanted list

This was reported by TASS with reference to the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs.

It is noted that Akane also issued an arrest warrant for President’s Commissioner for Children's Rights Maria Lvova-Belova.

"International Criminal Court Judge Tomoko Akane, who issued the arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Children's Ombudsman Maria Lvova-Belova, is wanted under a criminal article," the statement said.

In May 2023, the Investigative Committee of Russia opened criminal cases against ICC Prosecutor Karim Ahmad Khan and ICC Judge Rosario Salvatore Aitala for "preparing to attack a representative of a foreign state who receives international protection."

Arrest warrant for Putin

On March 17, 2023, the International Criminal Court in The Hague issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Children's Ombudswoman Maria Lvova-Belova.

Representatives of various states and international organizations reacted to the ICC's decision. They were later supported by representatives of the United Kingdom and Canada, who clearly supported the court's position.

And US President Joe Biden said that the ICC's arrest warrant for Putin was justified because the Russian president had committed war crimes. 

It is known that Russian President Putin is to visit South Africa in August to participate in the BRICS summit. The leadership of the Republic of South Africa is aware of the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant for Putin and is aware of its legal obligations.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy also responded to the ICC's decision and emphasized that Russia will be responsible for every act of terror against Ukraine and its people.

The South African Prosecutor's Office received an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin: he might be arrested if he comes to South Africa.

Later, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa stated under oath that the Kremlin threatened him with war if Putin is arrested during the BRICS summit.

However, on July 19, it became known that Russia will be physically represented at the BRICS summit, which will be held on August 22-24 in South Africa, by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Russian President Vladimir Putin will participate online. The US State Department called Putin an "international pariah".