Lithuanian lawyer Eglė Matuizienė has joined the International Criminal Court’s initiated investigation of possible war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Russia in Ukraine, as reported by Lithuanian public media LRT.
Lithuania organised the first ever selection process for ICC. It is after this process that Matuizienė was selected to work in the Hague.
«The war in Ukraine is one of the most worrying issues in Europe and is of particular relevance to Lithuania, as we see it not only as a tragedy for the people of Ukraine but also as a broader security issue for Europe and Lithuania,» she told LRT radio.
«I believe that there are no people in Lithuania who are indifferent to the war in Ukraine, and I am not indifferent either. Therefore, I decided to take the opportunity to contribute to the investigation of crimes in Ukraine.»
According to her, several people responsible for war crimes have already been convicted in Ukraine, and ICC’s goal is to bring to justice those who are responsible for the decision-making process, specifically the high-ranking officials.
Investigators are delegated to work in the Hague for a period of up to one year with the option to extend it to two years. However, Matuizienė says investigations such as this one can last for years because ICC investigates only the most severe and complex crimes.
It is only possible to convict high-ranking officials if they are physically brought to the Hague. This could happen once the regime in Russia collapses, stresses the Lithuanian investigator.
They can be detained in other countries, but it is unlikely Russian leaders may risk leaving their country.
Lithuania was the first country to refer Russia and Belarus to ICC for possible crimes in Ukraine after the start of Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine earlier this year.
According to Matuizienė, Lithuanian government underlined the importance of this topic and urged other European countries to join in.
«There is also a joint investigation team. Upon an agreement between several countries, it is made up of a prosecutor and pre-trial investigation officers. It started working about a month after the start of the war in Ukraine, involving Ukrainian officials.»
Full article can be found here: https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/1745883/lithuanian-lawyer-joins-russia-war-crimes-investigation-says-it-will-take-years