AMSTERDAM, March 17 (Reuters) – The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Friday issued an arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of responsibility for war crimes committed in Ukraine.
Moscow has repeatedly denied allegations that its troops committed atrocities during its year-long invasion of its neighbour.
In its first order for Ukraine, the ICC called for the arrest of Putin on suspicion of unlawful deportation of children and illegal transfer of people from the territory of Ukraine to the Russian Federation.
The Kremlin did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Earlier this week, Reuters reported that the court was expected to issue arrest warrants.
Separately, the court issued an arrest warrant for Maria Lvova-Belova, the Russian Commissioner for Children’s Rights, on the same charges.
ICC prosecutor Karim Khan opened an investigation a year ago into possible war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in Ukraine. During four trips to Ukraine, he emphasized his involvement in alleged crimes against children and attacking civilian infrastructure.
Reporting by Bart Meijer; Edited by Gareth Jones and Frank Jack Daniel
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