In Hague, on December 14, the ICC published its official report on the preliminary examination of the situation in Crimea and the Donbas region of Ukraine.
The preliminary examination of the situation in Ukraine started on 24 April 2014 on the basis of an initial ad hoc declaration lodged by the Government of Ukraine accepting the jurisdiction of the Court, which was subsequently extended by a second declaration, lodged in 2015, to encompass ongoing alleged crimes committed on the territory of Ukraine from 20 February 2014 onwards.
International law violations in Crimea include murder, torture, abduction, and deportation. As for the occupied areas of the Donbas, the prosecutor's office recorded premeditated murders, attacks on civilian objects, rape, and other crimes. The ICC intends to initiate criminal proceedings on the basis of these violations.
“The Office has completed a preliminary examination of the situation in Ukraine, ruling that the criteria for initiating an investigation have been met in terms of substantive jurisdiction, admissibility, and the interests of justice… In the meantime, the Office will continue to take steps to ensure the integrity of any future investigation,” the report stated.
The ICC also stressed that Russia had ignored the requests of the International Criminal Court, yet the Court is looking forward to a constructive and collaborative exchange with both the Government of Ukraine and with the Government of the Russian Federation.
“Carrying out these activities, the Office looks forward to the full support of all stakeholders. In carrying out its mandate in an independent and impartial manner, the Office also looks forward to constructive engagement and cooperation with the Government of Ukraine and equally with the Government of the Russian Federation," the document reads.