Category Archives: Russia

States that Neutered the Crime of Aggression have a Special Responsibility to Address War Crimes in Ukraine

Posted on March 8, 2022 by Mark Kersten

In an unprecedented move, thirty-nine states have requested that the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigate atrocities committed in Ukraine. It is a welcome and important development. But one crime that the ICC will not be investigating is the crime of … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, Crime of Aggression, France, International Criminal Court (ICC), Rome Statute, Russia, Ukraine, United Kingdom | Tagged | Leave a comment

How Many More Crimes Can Putin Commit Before the World Calls Him A War Criminal?

Posted on February 26, 2022 by Mark Kersten

On February 24, during a United Nations Security Council meeting, Sergiy Kyslytsya, Ukraine’s Ambassador to the UN was informed that Russia’s invasion of his country had begun. Moments later, Kyslytsya turned to his Russian counterpart Vassily Nebenzia and told him: … Continue reading →

Posted in International Criminal Court (ICC), Russia, Ukraine, War crimes | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Why is the International Criminal Court stepping out of Africa and into Georgia?

Posted on February 6, 2016 by Mark Kersten

After three months of deliberations, judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) have finally approved the opening of an official investigation into the 2008 war in Georgia. Prosecutors will focus on the ethnic cleansing of Georgians from the breakaway region … Continue reading →

Posted in Georgia, International Criminal Court (ICC), International Criminal Justice, Justice, Russia, South Ossetia | 4 Comments

Spies at the International Criminal Court?

Posted on February 5, 2016 by Mark Kersten

Is international criminal justice worth spying on? Do states invest in penetrating the halls of international criminal tribunals with their intelligence officers? While these aren’t exactly questions that one typically encounters, a recent article by Julian Borger sheds light on … Continue reading →

Posted in ICTY, International Criminal Court (ICC), International Criminal Justice, Russia | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Updated: Who’s Afraid of the International Criminal Court in Georgia?

Posted on October 23, 2015 by Mark Kersten

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has finally found its ‘road out of Africa’. The ICC judges have authorized an official investigation into the allegations of war crimes committed during the August 2008 war between Georgia and Russia over the territory … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethnic Cleansing, Georgia, International Criminal Court (ICC), International Criminal Justice, Russia, South Ossetia, War crimes | 8 Comments

Laying the Blame: Justice in Syria Just Got a Bit More Likely

Posted on September 24, 2015 by Mark Kersten

Anyone would be excused for believing that things in Syria may get worse before they get better. Millions of civilians live in daily fear for their security. Those who manage to escape do so to a new kind of hell … Continue reading →

Posted in International Law, ISIS, Islamic State, Israel, Justice, Russia, Syria, UN Security Council | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

The ICC is Free to Investigate Ukraine since 2014. So What Now?

Posted on September 10, 2015 by Mark Kersten

After months of speculation, Ukraine has finally decided to refer the violence in the country since February 2014 to the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC is now free to open a preliminary investigation and, if it finds reason to … Continue reading →

Posted in International Criminal Court (ICC), International Criminal Justice, Russia, Ukraine | Tagged | 15 Comments

ICC Justice in Ukraine May Have to Wait

Posted on June 17, 2014 by Mark Kersten

I recently had the opportunity to write an op-ed for the Moscow Times on the potential investigation of recent events in Ukraine by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Will the ICC intervene in Ukraine? If so, would former President Viktor Yanukovych ever face prosecution … Continue reading →

Posted in International Criminal Court (ICC), International Law, Justice, Russia, Ukraine, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

US Throws Support Behind Referral of Syria to the ICC

Posted on May 7, 2014 by Mark Kersten

In a bombshell, must-read exclusive at Foreign Policy, Colum Lynch reports that the Obama administration has decided to throw its support behind a United Nations Security Council referral of Syria to the International Criminal Court (ICC). There is an obvious … Continue reading →

Posted in ICC Prosecutor, International Criminal Court (ICC), Russia, Syria, UN Security Council, United States | Tagged , | 8 Comments

If the ICC Intervened in Ukraine, Russia Probably Wouldn’t Mind

Posted on April 18, 2014 by Mark Kersten

  According to the Registrar of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Herman von Hebel, Ukraine has accepted ICC jurisdiction over alleged crimes that occurred on Ukrainian territory between between 21 November 2013 and 22 February 2014. This limited period covers government attacks on … Continue reading →

Posted in International Criminal Court (ICC), Russia, Ukraine | Leave a comment