BERLIN (dpa-AFX) – Federal Minister of Justice Marco Buschmann (FDP) has spoken out in favor of more determined legal prosecution of those responsible for the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine. “If it’s the fastest and most effective means, I think a special tribunal is conceivable,” Buschmann told the German Press Agency in Berlin on Sunday. The Russian war of aggression is clearly contrary to international law. “Whoever instigated this bloody war should be responsible for it. To achieve that, we have to think of new ways.”
Several options are conceivable for a special tribunal, said Buschmann. Either it could be “a Ukrainian court, an international tribunal based on an international treaty with the participation of Ukraine,” he suggested. “Or there is a mixed form, a so-called hybrid court, in which a Ukrainian law creates a special court with the participation of international judges.” It is important that such a special tribunal is staffed with international judges “to guarantee the impartiality of the criminal proceedings”.
Buschmann described the International Criminal Court as the “ideal place” for such a procedure. This is a “historic achievement”. “I am therefore also advocating that we continue to strengthen the International Criminal Court by expanding its jurisdiction in the area of the crime of aggression. Because it has so far lacked this important lever.” However, a change in the statute of the Court of Justice that would be necessary for this would probably not be feasible in the short term.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) wants to visit the International Criminal Court in The Hague this Monday. She also wants to discuss ways in which Russian President Vladimir Putin can be held accountable for the war of aggression against Ukraine./bk/DP/nas
