ICC Prosecutor, Karim A.A. Khan QC, announces application for arrest warrants in the Situation in Georgia.

“Today, I have filed an application for warrants of arrest in relation to the following three individuals in the Situation in Georgia:

Lt.-Gen. Mikhail Mayramovich MINDZAEV (alternatively spelled as "MINDZAYEV"), appointed in 2005 as the Minister of Internal Affairs of the de facto South Ossetian administration until at least 31 October 2008;

Gamlet GUCHMAZOV (alternatively spelled "Hamlet" and "KUCHMAZOV"), Head of the Preliminary Detention facility of the de facto Ministry of Internal Affairs of South Ossetia at the time ofevents; and

David Georgiyevich SANAKOEV, de facto Presidential Representative for Human Rights of South Ossetia, also known as "Ombudsman" at the time of events.

On the basis of evidence collected and examined by my Office, I have reasonable grounds to believe that these three individuals bear criminal responsibility for the following war crimes committed in and around the territory of South Ossetia, Georgia, between 8 and 27 August 2008: Unlawful confinement – article 8(2)(a)(vii)-2; Torture – article 8(2)(a)(ii)-1; Inhuman treatment – article 8(2)(a)(ii)-2; Outrages upon personal dignity- article 8(2)(b)(xxi); Hostage taking – article 8(2)(a)(viii); and Unlawful transfer – article 8(2)(a)(vii)-1.

My application for these warrants of arrest focuses specifically on unlawful confinement, ill-treatment, hostage taking and subsequent unlawful transfer of ethnic Georgian civilians in the context of an occupation by the Russian Federation. The investigation also uncovered the alleged role of Vyacheslav Borisov, Major General in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and Deputy Commander of the Airborne Forces at the time of events, who is believed to have intentionally contributed to the execution of some of these crimes, and is now deceased”, - says Karim A.A. Khan.