Might Russian President Vladimir Putin sooner or later stand within the dock in The Hague? The prospect appeared to maneuver nearer after Germany backed a particular Court Docket for the invasion of Ukraine.

German Overseas Minister Anna Baerbock known as on Monday for a Tribunal to get round the truth that the Worldwide Prison Courtroom (ICC) can’t prosecute Russia for the “management” crime of aggression.

However there are main hurdles earlier than any such court docket may even be created, not to mention put Russian leaders on trial.

– Why a particular tribunal? –

Germany’s Baerbock mentioned a particular tribunal would fill a “extreme hole” in worldwide legislation.

The Hague-based ICC launched an investigation in February into struggle crimes and crimes towards humanity in Ukraine.

It was ready to take action as a result of Kyiv accepted its jurisdiction, although neither Russia nor Ukraine are members of the court docket, which was arrange in 2002.

However whereas adjustments to the ICC’s governing Rome Statute gave it powers to prosecute aggression from 2018, it nonetheless can’t accomplish that for non-member states.

The one approach it will possibly is by a referral by the UN Safety Council — however Russia, with its everlasting seat, would robotically veto that.

– What is the German plan? –

Baerbock proposed a “new format” of court docket based mostly in The Hague, to be arrange within the close to future if doable.

The court docket may “derive its jurisdiction from Ukrainian prison legislation” however have worldwide prosecutors and judges and international funding, she mentioned.

That will be completely different to tribunals underneath worldwide legislation, similar to these for the Nineteen Nineties wars within the former Yugoslavia.

And whereas tribunals for Cambodia and Kosovo have used native legal guidelines, they weren’t capable of strive aggression between one state and one other.

On the similar time, Baerbock proposed altering the ICC’s guidelines in the long run in order that it will possibly prosecute non-member states for aggression.

– Who wouldn’t it goal? –

A particular tribunal would goal Russia’s civilian and army management for ordering and overseeing the invasion of Ukraine, Baerbock mentioned.

Whereas the ICC may cost Russian troopers and commanders on the bottom, Baerbock mentioned it was “essential that the Russian management can’t declare immunity.”

Aggression was the “unique crime that enabled all the opposite horrible crimes”.

– What does the ICC assume? –

ICC prosecutor Karim Khan, who held talks with Baerbock on Monday, has opposed a particular tribunal for Ukraine.

He mentioned in December he shouldn’t be “set as much as fail” by the creation of a particular tribunal and urged the worldwide neighborhood to deal with supporting his personal investigation.

Baerbock mentioned it was essential to maintain supporting the ICC and insisted {that a} tribunal wouldn’t undermine it.

– What are the hurdles? –

To exist within the first place the court docket wants worldwide help — and that could possibly be exhausting.

A lot of the West appears to be on board, with European Fee president Ursula von der Leyen calling for a particular court docket in December and the Netherlands providing to host it.

However the remainder of the world would doubtless be much less eager.

“I hear these critics voicing considerations that such a path would present we care a couple of struggle as a result of it occurs in Europe, and I share that concern, so it is essential that we speak to companions from different areas,” Baerbock acknowledged.

However the greatest downside could possibly be bringing any suspects to justice.

Russia has mentioned any Ukraine tribunal would lack legitimacy, and would refuse to extradite suspects.

Ukraine may extradite captured Russians however that would go away high-level figures unscathed.

“Except there’s a regime change in Russia, Putin and different very high-level leaders must depart Russia so as be topic to arrest,” mentioned Cecily Rose, assistant professor of public worldwide legislation at Leiden College.