Interpol’s special mechanism: What tools can help Ukraine hold russian war criminals accountable?

Ukraine is currently seeking the ability to use an Interpol General Assembly resolution that would give the country greater opportunities to bring russian war criminals to justice.

This was discussed during a briefing at the Media Center Ukraine.

“It is crucial to understand the possibilities outlined in this resolution, which defines three specific scenarios in which Interpol can process such requests – whether from Ukraine or any other country – and they are quite clear. First, a request can come from an international court, such as the International Criminal Court, which can request the issuance of a Red Notice for its suspects. In this case, the General Secretariat of Interpol is required to review the notice and, if all requirements are met, publish it. Second, a request may be made by a specially created body established by the UN Security Council to deal with a particular situation. Third, the General Secretariat can process and handle a country’s request regarding war criminals, but only after obtaining explicit permission from the country of nationality of the suspect or perpetrator,” explained Vitalii Kasap, head of the International Police Cooperation Department of the National Police of Ukraine.

At the same time, Kasap noted that if Ukraine is allowed to use the mechanisms and tools outlined in the 2010 resolution, its requests regarding russian war criminals would automatically be forwarded to russia, which would then have to give its consent.

He also stressed that this mechanism would allow Ukraine to prosecute not only russian citizens, but also individuals from other countries who committed war crimes on Ukrainian territory.

Read more: https://mediacenter.org.ua/news