Japan condemns Russia's request to hand over Japanese ICC president
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Russian prosecutors have filed an extradition request for senior officials of the International Criminal Court, or ICC, including ICC President Tomoko Akane, who is Japanese. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office sent the request to the Netherlands and other countries seeking the handover of nine ICC officials who were convicted in absentia by a Russian court last December. The dispute stems from 2023, when the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin and other senior officials, alleging responsibility for the unlawful deportation and transfer of children from occupied areas of Ukraine to Russia. Japanese Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Masanao Ozaki said at a press conference in Tokyo that Russia's move is unjustifiable and unacceptable, adding that the Japanese government intends to respond appropriately, including by filing additional representations with Russia, and will maintain close communication with the ICC and other member states. The request comes as the ICC faces pressure from the United States, a Japanese ally, whose government under President Donald Trump announced sanctions on senior ICC leaders, including Akane, last August. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi disclosed that she and President Trump exchanged candid views on the ICC during a meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly last September.