For many, at the latest, the crimes committed by Russian soldiers in Bucha are evidence of a genocide in Ukraine. A German senior public prosecutor is more reserved. So far he has only seen evidence of the allegation. In his eyes, a special tribunal should clarify the issue.
According to Klaus Hoffmann, the German chief prosecutor who works in Kiev, there are only a few indications of genocide in the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. "All in all, I would say at the moment that there is not much to suggest that genocide can be proven," said the 49-year-old in Kiev. With such a "strong accusation" you have to be "very careful".
The war has now lasted almost a year. The Ukrainian leadership regularly accuses Russia of genocide and aims to set up a special international tribunal. The chief public prosecutor sees statements by the Russian leadership as evidence, which denies Ukraine's right to exist, sees the state as an artificial structure and denies the independence of the Ukrainian people. This included references to the re-education of children in the Russian-occupied territories.
Hoffmann sees the crime of aggression confirmed in the war of aggression that has been ongoing since February 24, 2022. "It's so obvious from my point of view," he said. However, since neither Russia nor Ukraine belong to the member states of the International Criminal Court, the judiciary in The Hague is not responsible. "The key question is whether a special tribunal is needed for this," said the senior public prosecutor. His own answer: "Yes."
