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| Image source: The Courier Mail |
South Africa - In a groundbreaking development, the South African government has reached an agreement to execute the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin if he ever sets foot in the country. This decision follows legal action taken by the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Gauteng High Court to compel the government to commit to arresting Putin.
The DA's legal application aimed to ensure that the government would arrest Putin should he choose to attend the upcoming BRICS summit scheduled in Johannesburg next month. Demonstrating its dedication to enforcing the arrest warrant, the Department of Justice has also agreed to cover the costs of the legal application.
Recently, the Presidency announced that President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation will not physically attend the BRICS summit in South Africa. Instead, he will participate virtually. The decision was reached "by mutual agreement," and the Russian Federation will be represented by Foreign Minister Mr Sergey Lavrov at the summit.
The arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court against Putin is based on allegations of war crimes linked to his invasion of Ukraine. By law, South Africa would have been obligated to arrest him if he had entered the country.
This agreement by the South African government marks a strong stance in upholding international justice and cooperation. It sends a clear message that the country is committed to adhering to its legal obligations and taking appropriate actions against those facing charges of serious crimes under international law.
As the situation unfolds, the eyes of the world will be on the BRICS summit, where South Africa will assert its commitment to international justice while fostering dialogue and cooperation among the member nations.
Source: By Khaya Koko News24
