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.
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.