Yerevan's decision to join the ICC had aroused the wrath of Russia, Armenia's traditional ally, Ednews reports referring to LeMonde.
Armenia formally became a state party to the International Criminal Court (ICC), a decision that Russia, its traditional ally, had deemed unfriendly. “The Rome Statute [creating the ICC] officially entered into force for Armenia on February 1st , ” Armenian representative for legal affairs Yeghishe Kirakosyan announced.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said in October that Armenia had made “a bad decision” in ratifying the Rome statute. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian tried to allay the Kremlin's fears, assuring that the decision was not directed against Russia.
“By joining the ICC, Armenia is equipping itself with serious tools to prevent war crimes and crimes against humanity on its territory ,” assured Mr. Kirakosyan. “Above all, this concerns Azerbaijan ,” with which Armenia has fought two wars over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, he added.
