Accountability for Crimes of Personnel of the Wagner Group in Ukraine
This briefing paper, prepared by the Open Society Justice Initiative, focuses on the Wagner Group, the private military group that has been engaged in fighting alongside regular units of the armed forces of the Russian Federation in Ukraine. It includes a consideration of the status of the personnel of private military companies, and the implications for their prosecutions under international humanitarian law. It analyzes the status of personnel of the Wagner Group in Ukraine, including specifically by considering whether those individuals form part of Russia’s armed forces. Finally, it examines the implications of the status of Wagner Group personnel for the prospect of prosecuting them and holding them accountable for crimes committed in Ukraine.
Justice Initiative Welcomes ICC Arrest Warrant for Putin
The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Now, the international community should do everything in its power to execute it, says the Open Society Justice Initiative.
Model Indictment for the Crime of Aggression Committed against Ukraine
This model indictment prepared by the Justice Initiative demonstrates that building a solid case against Russian President Vladimir Putin and other senior leaders for the crime of aggression is feasible. In addition to Putin, it names six Russian officials involved in the initiation, planning, preparation, and execution of acts of aggression against Ukraine starting on February 24, 2022.
Q&A: How Putin Could Be Put on Trial for the Crime of Aggression
James A. Goldston, executive director of the Justice Initiative, explains how Russia’s President Vladimir Putin could be prosecuted for the crime of aggression committed against Ukraine.
