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ICC authorises Russia-Georgia war crimes investigation ICC authorises Russia-Georgia war crimes investigation
(35 minutes later)
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has authorised an investigation into possible war crimes perpetrated during a conflict between Russia and Georgia.The International Criminal Court (ICC) has authorised an investigation into possible war crimes perpetrated during a conflict between Russia and Georgia.
The investigation relates to the conflict in 2008 centred on South Ossetia, a breakaway region of Georgia.The investigation relates to the conflict in 2008 centred on South Ossetia, a breakaway region of Georgia.
The ICC says it has "a reasonable basis to believe" that crimes against humanity and war crimes were committed.The ICC says it has "a reasonable basis to believe" that crimes against humanity and war crimes were committed.
More than 6,000 alleged victims made representations to the court in December 2015.More than 6,000 alleged victims made representations to the court in December 2015.
In October 2015, ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda announced she had evidence suggesting both sides had killed peacekeepers, which is a war crime.In October 2015, ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda announced she had evidence suggesting both sides had killed peacekeepers, which is a war crime.
It also suggested that South Ossetian forces had killed ethnic Georgian civilians.It also suggested that South Ossetian forces had killed ethnic Georgian civilians.
The ICC said the types of crimes allegedly committed included:The ICC said the types of crimes allegedly committed included:
It said the crimes allegedly happened between 1 July and 10 October 2008.It said the crimes allegedly happened between 1 July and 10 October 2008.
This will be the ICC's first investigation into a conflict outside Africa.This will be the ICC's first investigation into a conflict outside Africa.
What is South Ossetia?What is South Ossetia?
South Ossetia is separated from the North Ossetia region of Russia by an international border, but ethnically and linguistically Ossetians are distinct from other peoples in the region.South Ossetia is separated from the North Ossetia region of Russia by an international border, but ethnically and linguistically Ossetians are distinct from other peoples in the region.
South Ossetia was part of the Russian empire and, later, the Soviet Union before becoming part of Georgia. South Ossetia was part of the Russian Empire and, later, the Soviet Union before becoming part of Georgia.
After the 2008 war, Moscow recognised it as an independent state and began a process of closer ties that Georgia views as effective annexation.After the 2008 war, Moscow recognised it as an independent state and began a process of closer ties that Georgia views as effective annexation.
The war began with an operation by Georgia, which had hoped to seize back South Ossetia.The war began with an operation by Georgia, which had hoped to seize back South Ossetia.
But Russian troops quickly retook the area and pushed deeper into Georgian territory, stopping just short of the capital, Tbilisi.But Russian troops quickly retook the area and pushed deeper into Georgian territory, stopping just short of the capital, Tbilisi.
Nearly 1,000 people were killed while tens of thousands of Georgians living in the disputed areas were forced out of their homes.Nearly 1,000 people were killed while tens of thousands of Georgians living in the disputed areas were forced out of their homes.
Prosecutors have said there is evidence that up to 18,500 people were uprooted as part of a "forcible displacement campaign" conducted by South Ossetian authorities, and that the ethnic Georgian population in the conflict zone was reduced by at least 75%.Prosecutors have said there is evidence that up to 18,500 people were uprooted as part of a "forcible displacement campaign" conducted by South Ossetian authorities, and that the ethnic Georgian population in the conflict zone was reduced by at least 75%.
Russia is not a member of the ICC, which is based at The Hague.Russia is not a member of the ICC, which is based at The Hague.