Accessibility links

Breaking News

Ukraine Asks ICC To Investigate Kyiv Deaths


Military boots and flowers are seen at a makeshift memorial for those killed in recent violence in Kyiv on February 25.
Military boots and flowers are seen at a makeshift memorial for those killed in recent violence in Kyiv on February 25.
Ukraine's government has asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate the killings of more than 100 people during pro-European demonstrations on Kyiv's Independence Square earlier this year.

The Hague-based court said on April 18 it had received a declaration from Ukraine stating that Kyiv accepts the ICC's jurisduction over alleged crimes committed between November 21, 2013, and February 22, 2014.

Ukraine signed the international treaty setting up the ICC in 2000 but has not yet ratified it.

Accepting the ICC's jurisdiction does not automatically mean an investigation will be launched. Prosecutors will now have to decide whether there is enough evidence to do so.

The ICC investigates the most serious international crimes, including genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.

About 100 people were killed, most of them by sniper fire, on Kyiv's Independence Square between February 20-22.
With reporting by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service and UNIAN
  • 16x9 Image

    RFE/RL

    RFE/RL journalists report the news in 27 languages in 23 countries where a free press is banned by the government or not fully established. We provide what many people cannot get locally: uncensored news, responsible discussion, and open debate.

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG