“If we have all evidences, why should we wait? If people wait, they will stop to believe in justice”, – during today online meeting shared his thoughts Andriy Kostin, the General Prosecutor of Ukraine. He emphasized an importance to establish tribunal with an aim to bring to justice persons responsible for the aggression against Ukraine.
Meeting was organized by VU Law Faculty and moderated by doc. dr. Vigita Vėbraitė, Vice-Dean for studies at VU LF. It was discussed about war crimes, which were committed continuing Russia aggression against Ukraine and legal possibilities to bring to justice guilty persons.
In a beginning of the meeting, the General Prosecutor A. Kostin expressed thanks to Lithuania for constant support and help to Ukraine during a period of Russia aggression. He mentioned a terror faced by Ukraine citizens, who suffer due to deportations, looting, rapes and other crimes committed by Russia warriors, while at the same time continuing attacks, directed to civil targets.
Teachers and students of VU Law Faculty involved themselves in conversation and gave a question to A. Kostin, how current situation regarding punishment of criminals, gonna be solved? General Prosecutor answered, that criminals should not be unpunished. As well it is important to establish tribunal now, because later political situation may change. What is more, establishment of tribunal would be a strong message for people surrounding V. Putin.
Answering to question, which arguments could be used calling Russia actions in Ukraine as terrorism, A. Kostin mentioned massive destroy of civil infrastructure, what has a goal to worsen life conditions to residents:“They want to escalate situation internally. It is an element of genocide, as well a terror”. It was emphasized, that prosecutors in Ukraine investigates various criminal activities, not only war crimes. So they are working in full effort.