Crimes that Putin’s cabal could face
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There are two kinds of crimes relating to war: the crime of aggression –
resorting to war without a legal basis – and war crimes, which are associated with conducting a conflict
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International Criminal Court: ICC defines war crimes as “grave breaches” of Geneva Conventions, international treaties which lay out humanitarian laws to be followed in wartime. Any state can prosecute war crimes if it passes necessary legislation
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CRIME OF AGGRESSION

Liability for invasion of Ukraine attaches only to those in leadership positions

Vladimir Putin
While he remains head of state he is immune from criminal prosecution before courts of any other state. Immunity does not block case at ICC

Sergei Lavrov
Foreign minister. Delivers Putin’s messages. Russia “did not attack Ukraine,” he said on March 10

Sergei Shoigu
Defence minister. Responsible for planning and execution of Russian invasion of Ukraine

Collateral damage: It is lawful
to target military objectives, but if attackers know that collateral damage will include loss of civilian life it can rise to level of war crime

WAR CRIMES
    
Liability can attach at any level in command chain. There are 34 criminal categories applicable in international armed conflicts

Defendants: Intent and guilt is required to be proven beyond reasonable doubt

Valery Gerasimov Armed forces Chief of Staff. Played key role in 2014 campaign to annex Crimea

Sergei Naryshkin Foreign intelligence chief. Claimed goal was to de-Nazify Ukraine
 
Civilian objects: It is prohibited to target so-called “civilian objects.” Targeting maternity hospital or theatre and civilians inside them would also count as war crime
  
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Sources: ICRC, Reuters, Tufts University Pictures: Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS