Top EU diplomat answers whether the Special Tribunal will be able to try Putin and Co. while they are in power
The special tribunal for the crime of Russian aggression against Ukraine will have "restrictions" regarding the prosecution of Russian leaders while they are in office. This was announced by the head of European diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, during a press conference in Lviv, RBC-Ukraine reports.
"Lawyers worked on this. First, can they [Russian leaders] be tried in absentia? Yes, they can. But, of course, you know, while they are in office, this has limitations," Kallas said.
At the same time, according to the official, an important signal is that "everything [regarding the Special Tribunal] can be ready and none [of the Russian leaders] will be left outside the law."
"Because it's important. Without justice, you can't have real peace. I think this is an extremely important signal for the Ukrainian people as well," the head of European diplomacy noted.
Kallas also added that according to the documents she has seen, trials at the Special Tribunal are expected to begin by 2026.
- On April 10, Euronews sources told Reuters that the special tribunal would not try dictator Putin, Russian Prime Minister Mishustin, and Kremlin Foreign Minister Lavrov in absentia while they are in office. The sources explained that this was a compromise decision.
- On May 9, on the occasion of Europe Day, the foreign ministers of the European Union countries, led by Kallas, arrived in Lviv, in particular to participate in a meeting of the Main Group of the Special Tribunal for the Investigation of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.