Japan protests Russia’s extradition requests for ICC president Tomoko Akane and 8 other court staff
Japan has strongly protested Russia's request for the extradition of the president of the International Criminal Court (ICC), a Japanese national, and eight other officials from the Netherlands. The extradition requests were made following Moscow's issuance of warrants against the nine ICC staff members, including Tomoko Akane, in response to an ICC arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin over the war in Ukraine.
The Tokyo-based court sentenced the nine in absentia to prison terms last year. A Japanese official condemned the extradition requests as unjust and unacceptable, vowing to respond appropriately, including lodging additional protests. The deterioration in relations between Japan and Russia intensified after Putin visited a Pacific Island chain claimed by Japan in August.
Japan's support for the ICC has been complicated by its strained ties with the United States, which does not endorse the court.
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