Russia asks Armenia for clarification on ratification of Rome Statute

Russia asked Armenia for clarifications on the ratification by the Armenian Parliament of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said at a briefing.

“We have already asked the Armenian side for clarification on this matter. We will determine our next steps based on Yerevan’s response,” she said.

Recall that the countries that have ratified the Rome Statute undertake to recognize the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court. And the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for the President of the Russian Federation, accusing him of war crimes.

Armenia signed the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court in 1998, but has not ratified it.

The Constitutional Court of Armenia declared the Rome Statute unconstitutional in 2004.

On December 29, 2022, the Armenian government appealed to the Constitutional Court to resume the process of ratification of the international treaty in order to hold Azerbaijan accountable. After that, the Constitution was changed twice in Armenia.

On March 24, 2023, the Supreme Court recognized this statute as constitutional.