Georgian Deputy Justice Minister tells ICC assembly what Georgia waits for its investigation of Russia-Georgia war

Georgian Deputy Justice Minister Gocha Lortkipanidze addressed the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) of International Criminal Court (ICC) yesterday and briefed the 123 state representatives about the expectations of Georgia regarding the ICC prosecutor’s investigation of the Russia-Georgia war in 2008.

Lortkipanidze was unanimously elected yesterday to the board of the ICC Trust Fund for Victims.

We are sure that the investigation of the ICC prosecutor will become the basis for the enforcement of the international law, no matter how influential or powerful the offender is,” Lortkipanidze stated.

Lortkipanidze stated that the ICC holds an effective tool to carry out justice and is able to provide practical support and not only diplomatic statements to victims.

He said that the effectiveness of the ICC, as a body which is tasked to enforce the international justice, is largely dependent on expanding its authority not only on its member states, but also on the countries which refuse to cooperate with the court.

ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda launched the investigation of the Russia-Georgia 2008 war in 2016.

Russia refuses to cooperate with the court.

ICC investigates and, where warranted, tries individuals charged with the gravest crimes of concern to the international community: genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression, ICC webpage reads.