DISINFO: Armenia's ratification of the Rome Statute is an unfriendly step towards Russia
SUMMARY
The ratification by the Armenian Parliament of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court will not destroy the centuries-old friendship of the peoples of Russia and Armenia, however, such a decision is an unfriendly step towards Russian President Vladimir Putin.
This ratification is a clearly unfriendly step towards Russia. There were no forces in the Armenian parliament that could “stop” the process of legal enslavement of this country by the ICC.
RESPONSE
Pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative accusing Armenian political authorities of anti-Russian policy.
The ratification of the the Rome Statute is not aimed at any other country. This will provide a certain guarantee that any serious crime on the territory of the Republic of Armenia will fall under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, and for those who intend to commit such a crime, this will have at least a deterrent effect.
The decision to ratify the Rome Statute was made in Yerevan when it became obvious that [the Moscow-led regional security organisation] the CSTO and its instruments were not enough to ensure the security of Armenia, Prime Minister Pashinyan said.
On 17 March 2023, the ICC issued arrest warrants for two individuals in the context of war in Ukraine: Vladimir Putin and Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova. As a result of the ICC’s decision, 123 member states are obliged to detain and transfer Putin if he sets foot on their territory, significantly limiting his ability to travel abroad.
The Rome Statute allows countries to sign bilateral agreements to ignore ICC arrest warrants. Armenia offered to sign such a deal with Russia in April 2023, but the Russian side has still not responded to the proposal.
Read also related cases: ICC is a sham court and tool of the Anglo-Saxons; Russia does not recognise the International Criminal Court at The Hague; The ICC is a tool used in the anti-Russian hybrid war; Secret society of paedophiles takes revenge on Putin with ICC warrant.