South Africa warns Putin: Use Zoom or we’ll arrest you at BRICS summit
“We have no option not to arrest Putin. If he comes here, we will have to arrest him,” a South African government official said, according to the Heritage Times.
Cyril Ramaphosa South Africa’s President is under pressure to execute the arrest warrant placed on Putin for war crimes charges by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in March 2023.
The African power, instead, has urged the Russian leader who has been declared wanted by the ICC to join the bloc meeting via Zoom.
As a member of the ICC, South Africa is under obligation to hand over Putin to investigators.
Last week, Cyril Ramaphosa appointed a special government committee headed by the country’s vice president to study Vladimir Putin’s international arrest warrant, the Heritage Times reported.
The committee will not be able to find “any options that would allow Putin to come. The only option we have is for [Putin] to participate in the summit via Teams or Zoom from Moscow.”
Last week, South Africa’s Presidency officially confirmed that the country has no plans to withdraw from the Rome Statute of the ICC, denying Ramaphosa’s comment that Pretoria is considering exiting its membership.
The Kremlin said it had not yet decided whether Putin would attend the August summit.
The International Criminal Court in The Hague issued arrest warrants on March 17 for Putin and Russian Children’s Ombudsperson Maria Lvova-Belova.
They are accused of illegally deporting children from Ukraine to Russia since Feb. 24, 2022.
Putin may be arrested in 123 countries that have ratified the Rome Statute, which South Africa belongs to.
Membership of the bloc is drawn from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
Related news
‘Disrespect to women,’ Actress Dayo Amusa reacts as Bobrisky named ‘Best Dressed Female’
Tiwa Savage returns with a new song featuring Odumodublvck, shares snippets (Video)
Celine Dion makes first public appearance in 3 months at 2024 Grammys [Photos]
More news »
Latest Posts
Top 5 best cheapest and fastest VPS hosting providers
What is remote work? (Meaning, Examples, Type, Pros and Cons)
How to become a professional Writer, (step-by-step guide)
Tips for becoming a successful public speaker, and monetizing your skill
ATBU shut down campuses after students’ protests
More Posts »