Japanese prosecutors join ‘war crimes’ probe against Russia at International Criminal Court

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – Japan on Tuesday revealed that it has sent its prosecutors to join "war crimes" probe at International Criminal Court (ICC) against Russia over its war on Ukraine.

Japan’s Justice Minister Hanashi Yasuhiro told reporters that the ministry has sent two prosecutors to the court in The Hague this summer “to help investigate alleged war crimes in Ukraine.”

“The ICC has a role to maintain in strengthening international order based on the rule of law … Japan sent the jurists to bolster its cooperation,” Japanese public broadcaster NHK quoted Yasuhiro.

After Ukraine filed a case against Russia, Japan in March also lodged a formal complaint with the ICC against Russia for “war crimes” perpetrated in Ukraine.

Japan has also paid in advance to aid the ICC prosecution of Ukraine’s allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Russia mounted a war on Ukraine on Feb. 24, killing and injuring tens of hundreds of people and triggering an exodus of millions of people.

The ICC is a permanent criminal judicial body that prosecutes and punishes people who commit the most serious crimes of concern to the international community as a whole in accordance with international law.