South Africa aware of legal obligations in view of ICC’s arrest warrant for Putin
South Africa has taken note of the ICC ruling to issue an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
That’s according to Reuters, Ukrinform reports.
"We note the report on the warrant of arrest that the ICC has issued,” said Vincent Magwenya, a spokesperson for President Cyril Ramaphosa. “We are, as the government, cognisant of our legal obligation.”
The comment came in the wake of reports that Putin was expected to visit RSA in August to attend a BRICS summit.
"However, between now and the summit we will remain engaged with various relevant stakeholders," spokesperson added.
While there has been no official confirmation of Putin's visit, he has been expected to attend the event, as he did in 2013.
"It remains South Africa's commitment and very strong desire that the conflict in Ukraine is resolved peacefully through negotiations," spokesperson stressed.
As Ukrinform reported earlier, on March 18, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Children's Ombudsperson Maria Lvova-Belova. Both are suspected of war crimes in the form of illegal deportation and transfer of the population, including children, from the occupied territory of Ukraine.
South Africa is on the list of countries that have ratified the ICC’s Rome Statute, and is therefore obliged by law to ensure that any arrest warrant is executed.