International Criminal Court to investigate crimes in Ukraine

In the Netherlands, the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has announced a decision «to proceed with opening an investigation into the situation in Ukraine, as rapidly as possible».
In an announcement of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Monday, February 28, its prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan QC noted that the ICC has received two declarations from the government of Ukraine accepting the jurisdiction of the ICC with respect to, first, alleged crimes committed on Ukrainian territory from 21 November 2013 to 22 February 2014 and, second, ongoing alleged crimes committed throughout the territory of Ukraine from 20 February 2014 onward.
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«I have reviewed the Office’s conclusions arising from the preliminary examination of the Situation in Ukraine, and have confirmed that there is a reasonable basis to proceed with opening an investigation. In particular, I am satisfied that there is a reasonable basis to believe that both alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity have been committed in Ukraine in relation to the events already assessed during the preliminary examination by the Office. Given the expansion of the conflict in recent days, it is my intention that this investigation will also encompass any new alleged crimes falling within the jurisdiction of my Office that are committed by any party to the conflict on any part of the territory of Ukraine,» the prosecutor stated.