Russia – Pardon for an accomplice to the murder of Anna Politkovskaya (November 16, 2023)

France was shocked to learn of the pardon granted in Russia to Sergei Khadjikurbanov, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in the murder of Novaya Gazeta journalist Anna Politkovskaya in 2006.

France deplores this cynical decision, which comes nearly a month after the sad anniversary of Anna Politkovskaya’s murder. On that occasion, France paid tribute to the memory of this remarkable woman.

The first ever Politkovskaya-Soldin Prize for Courage in Journalism, established in honor of Anna Politkovskaya and Arman Soldin by the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs and 2021 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dmitry Muratov, was awarded on November 2, on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists.

By linking this pardon with Mr. Khadjikurbanov’s participation in the Russian aggression in Ukraine, Russia has once again demonstrated its enormous cynicism, as it is excusing a crime against independent journalism at the same time that it is hailing the aggression of which it is guilty on a daily basis in Ukraine in its illegal, unjustified war.

International Court – Armenia deposits its instrument of ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (November 16, 2023)

France welcomes Armenia’s deposit of its instrument of ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), the only permanent international criminal court with a universal mission, and which is tasked with trying individuals charged with genocide, crimes against humanity, the crime of aggression and war crimes.

This makes Armenia the 124^th State Party to the Rome Statute. France is pleased to welcome it as a State Party as of February 1, 2024, and welcomes this important step toward strengthening the fight against impunity.

During her meeting on November 10 with Prosecutor Karim Khan, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna reiterated her full support for the ICC, whose role in the fight against impunity for the gravest international crimes is essential to ensuring that victims obtain justice. It is a prerequisite for international stability.