Russian Activist Calls for Mongolia to Arrest Putin Amid International Warrant
Russian opposition political activist Vladimir KaraMurza, recently freed from prison in a significant prisoner exchange, has demanded that Mongolian authorities must arrest President Vladimir Putin during his current visit to Mongolia. This call comes in light of the International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant against Putin for unlawful deportation and transfer of children from occupied regions of Ukraine to Russia, a charge that Mongolia, having joined the ICC in 2003, is legally bound to heed.
Putin's arrival in the Mongolian capital, Ulan Bator, on September 2 marks the beginning of a visit that includes participation in ceremonies commemorating World War II victories held by Soviet and Mongolian forces. KaraMurza emphasized that adhering to the Rome Statute and international law obliges Mongolia to act accordingly. "If Mongolia considers itself a country with the rule of law that aspires to be part of the civilized world, it must comply with the terms of the Rome Statute that established the ICC," he stated in an interview with Current Time.
Together with fellow opposition figures, KaraMurza has signed an online petition urging the Mongolian government to apprehend Putin on his visit. He argued that from an international law viewpoint, the obligation to arrest is not negotiable; it is a legal requirement that requires strict compliance.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) echoed these sentiments on September 2, calling on Mongolia to either deny entry to Putin or enforce the arrest warrant. Maria Elena Vignoli, senior international justice counsel at HRW, highlighted that allowing Putin's visit without arrest would violate Mongolia's international commitments as an ICC member.
Despite the outcry, the Kremlin expressed confidence regarding the trip, stating that Russia enjoys a "wonderful dialogue" with Mongolia, indicating no concerns about the visit.
This trip marks a notable occasion for Putin, as it is his first official visit to a country that is a signatory to the ICC’s Rome Statute since an arrest warrant was issued against him in March 2023. Notably, Judge Erdenebalsuren Damdin of Mongolia was elected as an ICC judge in December 2023.
Ukraine has also urged the Mongolian government to detain Putin amid these developments. It is important to note that Russia does not recognize the authority of the ICC, which complicates matters. Under the Rome Statute, all 124 ICC member states are expected to implement the arrest warrant should Putin step foot in their countries. However, the ICC lacks enforcement tools and depends on its members for the execution of such warrants.
As international scrutiny intensifies, the question remains whether Mongolia will fulfill its obligations in this critical geopolitical moment.
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