South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) to release him from the obligation to execute the arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has been invited to the BRICS summit in Johannesburg next month . The argument is that the arrest of Putin, accused by the court of illegally deporting Ukrainian children, could threaten “the security, peace and order of the state”. Ramaphosa finally remembered, “Russia has made it clear that arresting the president would be a declaration of war.”
The arguments of the South African head of state are part of a statement to his country’s judiciary, which is analyzing the complaint of the Democratic Alliance (opposition) that Ramaphosa wants to force Putin to be detained and extradited to the ICC. The president considers this complaint “irresponsible” and notes that national security is at stake. Under ICC rules, a country can refer to court if it encounters a problem that may prevent the execution of a request.
South Africa currently chairs the BRICS group (which also includes Brazil, Russia, India and China), with the summit of heads of state taking place in Johannesburg between 22 and 24 August. In March, Putin was charged with war crimes by the ICC, which issued an international arrest warrant. Since Pretoria was one of the signatories to the agreements, it should, in theory, arrest Putin as soon as he landed.
At the end of May, South Africa said it had approved immunity for all summit participants, explaining that this was common practice. But the opposition insists that Putin should be arrested and has taken the matter to court. Ramaphosa’s statements, known yesterday, are part of a statement he made to the court in late June, marked “confidential.” However, the judges ruled that it should be made public. The opposition finds Ramaphosa’s argument “vulnerable”.
South African Vice President Paul Mashatile said this to a local news website the best solution was that Putin “didn’t come”. But the Russians insist he wants to be there. at the BRICS summit. The solution could be to change the meeting place, for example to China – who is not a signatory to the ICC and where Putin therefore does not run the risk of being arrested, and is even expected to visit Beijing later this year.
harbor attack
While South Africa faces this dilemma, the fighting on the ground continues. Yesterday Russian forces bombed the ports of Odessa and Mykolaiv in response to the attack – for which they blame Kiev – against the Crimean bridge. It will already be reopened in one direction.
Russia missed Monday’s deadline to extend the grain deal, which facilitated Ukrainian exports through the Black Sea, and yesterday warned of the risks of ships continuing to leave Ukrainian ports without security guarantees.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky defended the continuation of exports even without Russia’s approval, accusing it of using access to food to “blackmail” the world.
Source: DN
