New Delhi. Where on one hand, on March 17, 2023, the International Criminal Court ie ICC issued a special arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin on charges of war crime. But the very next day, Putin has been seen roaming the streets of Mariopol city in Ukraine. At the same time, during the war, Russia has now occupied this city. In such a situation, a very interesting question now arises that Russia treats India as a friend. On the other hand, if Putin visits India now, can he be arrested here? let’s figure it out
Who is ICC
Let us inform that, the organization intensively investigates war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity happening around the world. This institution takes action on the basis of rules prepared under the 1998 Rome Convention. The headquarters of ICC is in The Hague. 123 countries including Britain, Canada, Japan are also members of the International Criminal Court under the Rome Convention.
Although the court of ICC sends warrants to all the member countries for the arrest of its accused. This warrant of ICC is like advice for member countries and they are not even bound to obey it.
Why did the ICC (International Criminal Court) issue the warrant?
In fact, the ICC has held Putin guilty of taking Ukrainian children to Russia illegally and illegally. According to him, Russian President Vladimir Putin had information about kidnapping of children from Ukraine and sending them to Russia. Also, Putin himself was directly involved in many cases of kidnapping of children. At the same time, the biggest thing is that despite being aware, Putin did not stop his military officers and people from doing so. In such a situation, the ICC has issued a warrant against him.
Will Putin be arrested?
Significantly, Vladimir Putin is the President and head of a powerful country like Russia. Also, he is one of the most powerful leaders in the world. So it is clear that he cannot be arrested while living in Russia. At the same time, if Putin himself goes to any other country outside Russia, he can be detained. However, there are also many international restrictions on Putin’s foreign visits. In such a situation, if Putin visits any of the ICC member countries, he can be detained, but he may not make this mistake.
America is advocating ICC but itself is not a part of it
One interesting thing is that America is not a part of ICC. In such a situation, there is a situation of mutual conflict in the Biden administration itself on the issue of giving evidence of war crimes to the ICC. The Pentagon has also advised not to share the report with the ICC.
Putin can be arrested on coming to India.
Now there is a very simple answer to this question that Vladimir Putin will not be arrested if he comes to India even after the ICC warrant is issued. The main reason behind this is that India itself is not included in the member countries of ICC. Nor have we signed the 1998 Rome Accords. In such a situation, the warrant issued by ICC is not at all valid for India.
Now even if India was a member of ICC for any reason, it would not be bound in any way to obey this order. The clear reason for this is that ICC’s warrant is actually just like ‘an advice’ even for its member countries. In such a situation, there is no danger for them in coming to India.
