Fitzo Was Accused Of Double Standards

Slovakia can't explain why it rejected a special tribunal for Putin.

Slovak authorities are silent on why they did not support a tribunal to prosecute Russia for its aggression against Ukraine, despite their calls to respect international law.

The Euractiv publication has noted that this has drawn criticism from legal experts and the opposition. The publication recalled that earlier 42 countries signed a declaration in support of the creation of a special tribunal to prosecute Russia for aggression against Ukraine. Of the EU member states, only Slovakia and Hungary refused to join.

Bratislava's position is all the more remarkable because the government of pro-Russian Prime Minister Robert Fitzo has repeatedly condemned the Kremlin's aggression as a "blatant violation of international law" and insisted that international law be upheld in every case.

Now a group of 31 Slovak legal experts have called on the government to reconsider its opposition to the tribunal. In an open letter, they warned that accountability under international law is "crucial to preventing atrocities" and serves Slovakia's long-term interests.

The government, however, has not responded to the appeal or explained its position.

Izdane pointed out that only MEP Branislav Ondruš commented on the situation, calling the tribunal "unnecessary" because the International Criminal Court (ICC) already exists to prosecute crimes such as aggression and genocide.

Ondruš was wrong, however, as the journalists emphasized, because the ICC has no jurisdiction over Russian aggression, as Moscow withdrew from the Rome Statute after the annexation of Crimea.

Ondruš also argued that the tribunal would "deepen the rift in relations with Russia" and prevent peace.

At the same time, former Slovak foreign minister and now opposition politician Ivan Korchok called the Fitzo government's stance a "classic example" of double standards regarding international law.

Roman Mikulec, an opposition MP and former interior minister, also criticized Slovakia's position, calling it "another disgrace for the country."

"They refuse to support a tribunal to prosecute the crime of aggression. Why? Because that's what Putin wanted from Fitzo?" he asked rhetorically.

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