Germany receives hundreds of testimonies of Russian war crimes in Ukraine
The Federal Office for Criminal Affairs of Germany uses the data obtained from the intelligence agency to identify those involved in war crimes in Ukraine.
That’s according to DW, Ukrinform reports.
The Federal Office for Criminal Affairs of Germany (BKA) has several hundred testimonies of war crimes committed by Russian servicemen in Ukraine. This was stated by the BKA head, Holger Münch, to Welt am Sonntag on Saturday, June 18.
Experts are trying to identify not only the direct perpetrators of the atrocities, but also those responsible in military and political terms.
"This is the most difficult part of our investigation, the confusing puzzle," Münch said.
According to the head of the BKA, the agency uses materials obtained from secret services, including the BND intelligence agency. For example, the secret service intercepted communications between Russian soldiers, who spoke of atrocities targeting civilians.
"The goal of the BKA is to identify those involved, confirm their actions through investigation, and bring them to justice," Münch explained.
The agency is investigating all traces, looking for whistleblowers, and gathering evidence.
"We are preparing for possibly pressing charges against persons who are allegedly responsible for war crimes in Ukraine," the BKA chief said.
It is noted that, in accordance with the principle of universal jurisdiction, war criminals can be tried in Germany. Münch hopes to launch such trials, while not ruling out that it will take much time.
"We are only at the very beginning of the inquiry into the war in Ukraine," he said. Germany’s top prosecutor is currently conducting a preliminary investigation before probing individual suspects.
As Ukrinform reported earlier, referring to the Prosecutor General's Office, since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, as of June 17, law enforcers have registered 26,767 crimes.