The U.S. is bringing its first-ever charges of war crimes against four Russian military personnel for atrocities committed against an American citizen in Ukraine during Russia’s full-scale invasion of the country.
Attorney General Merrick Garland announced the charges Wednesday, unsealing an indictment in the Eastern District of Virginia.
“Congress passed the U.S. war crimes statute nearly 30 years ago, to give us jurisdiction to prosecute war crimes committed against American citizens abroad,” Garland said in a press conference announcing the charges.
“In an indictment returned yesterday in the Eastern District of Virginia, we have charged four Russia affiliated military personnel with war crimes against an American citizen living in Ukraine. The charges include conspiracy to commit war crimes, including war crimes outlawed by the international community after World War Two, unlawful confinement, torture, and inhuman treatment.”
Updated at 10:28 a.m.
Tags Merrick Garland Ukraine-Russia war war crimes
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