International Criminal Court declares Tajikistan’s failure to execute arrest warrant for Putin

The International Criminal Court has stated that Tajikistan failed to comply with its obligations to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin during his presence on the country’s territory.

Photo credit: the International Criminal Court

Pre-Trial Chamber II found that Tajikistan failed to comply with its international obligations under the Statute by not executing the Court’s request for the arrest and surrender of Putin while he was on Tajikistan’s territory. The Pre-Trial Chamber referred Tajikistan’s non-compliance through the President of the Court to the Assembly of States Parties in accordance with regulation 109(4) of the Regulations of the Court.

A representative of Tajikistan was invited to a Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties meeting on May 6, 2026, to discuss the consequences of noncompliance with the court’s decision and future cooperation with the ICC. Following the meeting, the Bureau is expected to prepare a report and recommendations for the next Assembly session.

To provide background, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin in March 2023. The Russian President is suspected of the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine to the Russian Federation.

You may also want to read: Statement of non-governmental organizations addressed to the Members of the International Coalition for the return of Ukrainian children

In October 2025, Russian dictator Putin visited Tajikistan for a series of summits; however, the country’s authorities ignored the International Criminal Court’s requirements to arrest the Russian leader on suspicion of involvement in the deportation of Ukrainian children.

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