EU Criticizes Tajikistan for Ignoring ICC Arrest Warrant on Putin

The European Union has accused Tajikistan of failing to comply with its obligations under the Rome Statute by not enforcing the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In a statement, the EU said that as a member of the ICC, Tajikistan was required to cooperate with the Court’s decisions. «The EU continues to support the ICC’s investigations in Ukraine and calls on all countries to ensure full cooperation,» the message said.

The ICC issued arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova in March 2023. Both are accused of involvement in the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia from territories occupied during the war.

The criticism followed Putin’s visit to Dushanbe for the Russia–Central Asia Summit. Ahead of the event, Human Rights Watch urged the Tajik government to deny entry to the Russian leader or arrest him upon arrival, citing international law.

This is not the first time a country has ignored the ICC order. In 2024, Mongolia, also a party to the Rome Statute, hosted Putin without taking action, prompting concern from the ICC’s Assembly of States Parties.