Armenia defies Russia to ratify Rome Statue
- 3 October, 14:46
Armenia’s parliament has voted to ratify the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) Rome Statue, obliging Russia’s former ally to arrest President Vladimir Putin, if he were to visit the country.
The statue was ratified on Tuesday, with 60 MPs voting in favour and 22 voting against. The treaty had been submitted to President Vahagn Khachaturyan for approval.
The parliament’s decision will further deteriorate the relations between the traditional allies who have been engaged in a political row in recent months.
Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov last week warned that Armenia’s decision to ratify the Rome Statue was “extremely hostile”. Peskov added that Putin did not have any plans to visit Armenia in the near future.
The International Criminal Court issued a warrant of arrest for Russian President Vlaidmir Putin in March in the context of the war in Ukraine, namely for overseeing the abduction of Ukrainian children.
Upon notice of ratification by the UN Secretary General, Armenia will become a full member of the International Criminal Court and will be able to file lawsuits against individuals who committed war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide on its territory.
Yerevan has repeatedly stated that its decision to join the ICC was not aimed against the Kremlin but rather against Azerbaijan.
Armenia’s representative for international legal issues Yeghishe Kirakosyan said at the parliament’s session on Tuesday that the ratification of the Rome Statute will enable Yerevan to hold Azerbaijan accountable for what he described as war crimes and crimes against humanity.
