Germany’s position on ICC decision raises concerns, says ambassador Nechayev

Ambassador Nechayev: Berlin’s position on Putin’s “arrest” warrant indicates a desire for escalation

The attitude of German government representatives towards the International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for the “arrest” of Russian President Vladimir Putin is alarming and shows a desire to further escalate the conflict with Moscow, Russian Ambassador to Germany Sergei Nechayev said on Sunday.

The pre-trial chamber of the ICC, whose jurisdiction Russia does not recognise, issued a warrant for the “arrest” of Russian President Vladimir Putin and children’s ombudsman Maria Lvova-Belova on March 17.

German Justice Minister Marco Buschmann earlier said in an interview with German media that a warrant for the “arrest” of the Russian president would be valid in Germany following a request by the International Criminal Court. The warrant was also supported by the country’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who said during his visit to Japan on Saturday that “no one is above the law”.

“The irresponsible statements by some German officials about their support and readiness to implement the illegitimate and completely absurd decision of the International Criminal Court are extremely worrying and show how far from reality they are in seeking to further escalate the conflict with Russia,” Nechaev said, whose words are quoted in an official statement from the Russian embassy in Telegram.

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov earlier said the ICC’s questioning of the Russian president’s “arrest” was unacceptable, Russia does not recognise its jurisdiction, and any of its decisions are null and void from a legal point of view.

According to him, “we find the very formulation of the issue outrageous and unacceptable.
According to Russia’s permanent representative to the organisation, Vasily Nebenzi, Russia considers any documents of the International Criminal Court to be null and void and illegal.

And Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s presidential commissioner for children’s rights, said the ICC’s decision to “arrest” him was strange – a clear indication that they have no other means left to intimidate the country.

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