Russia sentences nine ICC representatives to prison in absentia

A Russian court has sentenced nine representatives of the International Criminal Court (ICC), including Prosecutor Karim Khan, to prison terms of up to 15 years in absentia, according to the Russian Prosecutor General's Office.

The Moscow City Court delivered the verdict in a criminal case involving Khan and eight other ICC officials. They were found guilty of various charges under the Russian Criminal Code, including crimes related to the administration of justice and the violation of sovereignty, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media. 

Khan was sentenced to 15 years in prison, with the first nine years to be served in prison and the remainder in a strict regime penal colony. The other ICC representatives received prison sentences ranging from 3.5 to 15 years, depending on their roles in the case.

The court's decision follows a series of legal actions by Russia against the ICC, which has been investigating potential war crimes in Ukraine. The Russian government has repeatedly denounced the ICC's actions and claims jurisdiction over the case.

By Sabina Mammadli