Europe, Russia-Ukraine War

Estonia, Latvia, Slovakia become part of joint investigation team in Ukraine

International team probes alleged war crimes committed since Russia launched war on Ukraine on Feb. 24

Ali Murat Alhas  | 31.05.2022 - Update : 01.06.2022
Estonia, Latvia, Slovakia become part of joint investigation team in Ukraine

ANKARA

The EU Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust) and the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Tuesday gathered in the Hague to discuss alleged war crimes committed in Ukraine since Russia's attacks on the country started in late February.

The judicial authorities of Estonia, Latvia, and Slovakia will become members of a joint investigation team on alleged core international crimes, the Eurojust said in a statement following a meeting where senior prosecutors of Ukraine, Lithuania, and Poland, along with the Eurojust president and the ICC prosecutor.

The joint investigation team was founded in late March by Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine, while the ICC's Office of the Prosecutor also became a member in April.

The statement noted that the involvement of Estonia, Latvia, and Slovakia "reinforces the clear message that no effort will be spared in gathering evidence on alleged core international crimes committed in Ukraine and bringing those responsible to justice."

In mid-May, the ICC deployed its team of 42 experts to Ukraine to probe the alleged war crimes committed since the start of Russia's war on the country on Feb. 24.

Karim Khan, the ICC prosecutor, said the joint efforts of the investigation team stressed the international community's commitment to law and that it would also contribute to the global peace and security.

Meanwhile, a Ukrainian court on Tuesday slapped two captured Russian soldiers to 11 years and six months for shelling Ukrainian towns.

According to UN estimates, at least 4,113 civilians have been killed and 4,916 injured in Ukraine since the war began, with the true toll believed to be much higher.

Over 6.8 million people have fled to other countries, while more than 7.7 million have been internally displaced, according to the UN refugee agency.

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