The investigation of alleged war crimes committed by the Russian army in Ukraine will be the main item on the agenda of the meeting of justice ministers of several countries who will meet in Great Britain in March, PA Media and dpa agencies report.

A Ukrainian military officer inspects a room that authorities say was used by the Russians for torturePhoto: Leo Correa/AP/Profimedia

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Dominic Raab will hold a meeting at Lancaster House in London with his Dutch counterpart Dylan Jesilgoz-Zegerius.

The participants will listen to the report of the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, about the activities of the court and the role of the international community in supporting its investigations.

President Vladimir Putin continues to target Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure, often leaving the country’s citizens without power and destroying central heating sources in winter.

Karim Khan is currently investigating allegations that Russian soldiers committed war crimes during the invasion of Ukraine, and authorities in Kyiv say they executed and raped civilians.

Dominique Raab said that “Russian forces must know that they cannot act without consequences, and that we will stand by Ukraine until justice is served. Almost a year after the illegal invasion, the international community must give its strongest support to the ICC so that war criminals can be brought to justice for the atrocities we are witnessing.”

The March meeting will allow participating countries to determine ways to provide additional assistance to the court, reports the British Ministry of Justice. Officials said they were considering providing practical support, such as assistance in gathering information and handing over evidence of atrocities. Ministers will also discuss how to support victims and witnesses to give evidence without causing them further suffering.

“The information and images about Russia’s illegal and unprovoked armed attack on Ukraine are horrifying. It is quite clear to us that these crimes cannot go unpunished,” said the Minister of Justice of the Netherlands.

Last year, Britain offered the ISS a support package that included an extra £1 million in funding and special police assistance.

The Ministry of Justice in London also reported that it also participates in the training of Ukrainian judges and provides support to British legal experts. (Source Agerpres)

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