The International Criminal Court (ICC) has suffered a big blow after Russia, one of the world’s superpowers, said they are withdrawing their signature from the Rome Statute.
A statement from Moscow said Wednesday the country is formally withdrawing its signature from the founding statute of the International Criminal Court, saying the tribunal has failed to live up to hopes of the international community.
Russia’s foreign ministry said President Vladimir Putin is not willing to be part of a court that has failed to carry its mandate according to its principals.
The country joined the criminal court in the year 2000, and it has been a member since then.
Russia’s withdrawal comes weeks after South Africa wrote to the court expressing their intention to cease to be a member. Several other African countries have expressed interests in leaving the court, Kenya being among them.
