Is Putin really risking a trip to South Africa?

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Now it can be uncomfortable for Vladimir Putin (70). The International Criminal Court in The Hague (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for the Russian president on Friday.

The handcuffs of the Kremlin chief could click in 123 countries. South Africa is one of the countries that have signed the Rome Statute.

And it is precisely this country that is on Putin’s travel list. He will attend the Brics summit in South Africa in August. In the past, the heads of state of the leading emerging countries Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa participated in this meeting.

«Aware of legal obligations»

So is he in danger of being arrested there? The African country has now taken a stand.

Vincent Magwenya, spokesman for South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, 70, told Reuters on Sunday that South Africa is well aware of its legal obligations. “We are aware of the arrest warrant and are in contact with all those involved. Talks are being held.” However, he did not want to speculate on what would happen if Putin actually attended the summit.

Magwenya also added: “It is very important to us that the conflict in Ukraine is resolved peacefully and through negotiations.”

The African country has not yet condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and would likely be in a precarious position if Putin came to South Africa.

Russia does not recognize ICC

The ICC is a court established to try war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. A total of 123 countries, including all EU countries, Switzerland and South Africa, have signed the Rome Statute. If the Kremlin chief set foot in any of the countries involved, he would be behind bars. Putin and his child rights officer Maria Lwova-Belowa (38) are accused of illegally deporting children from Ukraine to Russia.

The spokesman for the Russian president, Dmitry Peskov (55), said after the arrest warrant became known that the Russian Federation does not recognize this court. (A)

Source: Blick