Putin won't escape punishment for crimes in Ukraine - newly elected ICC president

Tomoko Akane, newly elected President of the International Criminal Court, assures that Russian leader Vladimir Putin will be brought to justice for the war in Ukraine

She told Kyodo News about this.

Speaking to journalists, Tomoko Akane quoted a Chinese proverb to indicate that Putin will eventually get what he deserves: “Heaven's vengeance is slow but sure.”

At the same time, Akane acknowledged the problems faced by the ICC, in particular, that in the last two years, there have been no cases that have led to the arrest of people for whom warrants have been issued. She believes it is unlikely that Russia will extradite Putin, as the country is not a party to the court. However, the Russian president could be arrested if he visits ICC member states, Akane emphasized.

It is worth noting that it was Akane who issued the arrest warrant for Putin last March. Now she says she doesn't regret her decision, because the court must make decisions regardless of the political status of the defendant.