International Criminal Court arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova

On 17 March 2023, following an investigation of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, and Maria Lvova-Belova, Russian Commissioner for Children's Rights, alleging responsibility for the war crime of unlawful deportation and transfer of children during the Russo-Ukrainian War. The warrant against Putin is the first against the leader of a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. The 124 member states of the ICC are obliged to detain and transfer Putin and Lvova-Belova if either sets foot on their territory.