Process Initiated to Create 'Extraordinary Court' for Putin

The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe has announced the start of the process to create an extraordinary court for the crime of aggression against Ukraine, which was previously unofficially referred to as the 'Putin Tribunal.' The relevant decision was made during a meeting held on May 14, as stated on the official website of the Council of Europe. This was reported by the German publication Deutsche Welle.

In April, it was reported that the main group for the establishment of the extraordinary court, which includes nearly 40 countries, the European Commission, the EU’s foreign policy service, and the Council of Europe, had completed the technical design work for the extraordinary court.

The extraordinary court will initiate investigations against the top leadership of Russia. Initially, it was planned that the defendants would include Russian President Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. These are individuals 'responsible for planning, preparing, initiating, and executing the crime of aggression against Ukraine.'

At the same time, the extraordinary court will not be able to prosecute the highest officials of Russia, including the president, prime minister, or the head of the foreign affairs agency, even in absentia. The Council of Europe does not have the authority to lift their personal immunity.