UK sends war crime experts to The Hague to help with Ukraine probe
- Britain is sending a police officer and seven lawyers to The Hague
- The announcement follows £1million in funding committed earlier this year
- UK and Norway will deliver ‘war crimes investigation training’ to Ukrainian police
Britain is sending a police officer and seven lawyers to The Hague to help support investigations into war crimes in Ukraine.
The delegation will be appointed to assist the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands.
The announcement – which follows £1million in funding committed earlier this year and the appointment of a British adviser – comes as ICC prosecutor Karim Khan QC visits London today. Mr Khan will provide an update on the progress of their investigation.
The UK and Norway will also deliver ‘war crimes investigation training’ to Ukrainian police.
And officers from Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Unit are assisting with ‘forensic and technical capabilities, such as biometrics and examination of digital devices’.
The International Criminal Court’s Assembly of States Parties held in The Hague is pictured, where Britain is sending a police officer and seven lawyers to The Hague to help support investigations into war crimes in Ukraine
Justice Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab said: ‘The UK has responded swiftly to a request from the International Criminal Court for more police and lawyers to aid their investigation into Russian war crimes in Ukraine.
‘Russian forces should know that they will be held to account for their actions and the global community will work together to ensure justice is served.’
As well as the Metropolitan Police officer, the lawyers – all ‘well experienced in international criminal law’ – are also set to assist.
Two further UK-based police officers will be appointed to help search for evidence via online sources.
Attorney General, Suella Braverman QC, added: ‘Following my appointment of war crimes expert Sir Howard Morrison as an Independent Adviser to the Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office, I am determined that British expertise continues to be available to our friends in Ukraine in their search for justice.
‘We will stand side by side as they uncover the truth and hold those responsible in Putin’s regime to account for their actions.’
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