Japan Condemns Russia’s Extradition Request for ICC President After Putin Arrest Warrant

Russia has requested the extradition of nine senior International Criminal Court officials, including ICC President Tomoko Akane, prompting Japan to condemn the move as “unjustified and unacceptable,” Kyodo News reported on October 9.

The Russian Prosecutor General’s Office sent extradition requests to the Netherlands and other countries on October 8 for the handover of ICC officials convicted in absentia by a Russian court in December, according to Kyodo.

Akane, a Japanese national, was among those named in the requests.

The move follows the ICC’s 2023 arrest warrants for the Russian leader, Vladimir Putin, and other Russian officials over responsibility for the unlawful deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children from temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories to Russia.

Japan’s Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Masanao Ozaki condemned Russia’s action during a press conference in Tokyo.

“The measures are unjustified and unacceptable,” Ozaki stated.

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He added that Japan intends to “respond appropriately, including by making further representations to Russia” while maintaining communication with the ICC and other states parties.

Kyodo noted that the extradition request comes as the ICC also faces pressure from the US. The administration of President Donald Trump sanctioned senior ICC officials, including Akane, in August.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi later stated that she and Trump had a “frank exchange of views” about the court during a meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in September.

Russia had previously ordered the arrest in absentia of ICC judge Haykel Ben Mahfoudh in November 2024, after he helped authorize warrants for Russia’s former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov over attacks on Ukrainian civilians and civilian infrastructure.

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