Moscow's court announced on 12/12/2024 that it had tried Karim Khan, the International Criminal Court's (ICC) chief prosecutor, and eight other officials in absentia. These officials include ICC President Tomoko Akane and her predecessor, Piotr Hofmanski.

The Moscow court accused the 9 ICC representatives of unlawfully prosecuting innocent individuals, illegal detention, and conspiring to use violence against persons protected under international law.

"Chief Prosecutor Khan illegally initiated criminal proceedings against Russian citizens between 2/2022 and 3/2022. The ICC President, without any legal basis, directed judges to issue arrest warrants that they knew were unlawful", the Moscow court stated.

ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan in an interview in Paris, France in 2/2024. Photo: AFP

Khan received a 15-year prison sentence, while the others were sentenced to 3,5 to 15 years. These sentences will be enforced upon their arrest and extradition to Russia.

ICC officials have not yet commented on Russia's actions.

All 9 ICC officials were previously placed on Russia's international wanted list. However, these warrants have limited effect, meaning they would only be arrested if they entered Russian territory or an allied nation with an extradition agreement.

The ICC, headquartered in the Netherlands, was established in 2002 to investigate serious crimes such as genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Unlike the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the ICC focuses on prosecuting individuals rather than states.

In 3/2023, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and children's rights commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova. They were accused of illegally transferring children from Ukraine to Russia, which the ICC classified as a war crime. Russia, not an ICC member, has rejected these accusations.

Separately, Prosecutor Khan has faced past challenges. Washington previously sanctioned him over ICC investigations into US and Israeli officials. He also faces allegations of "sexual misconduct" and voluntarily suspended his duties in May to cooperate with an investigation.

Nhu Tam (According to The Moscow Times, AFP)