**Moscow Court Orders Arrest of ICC Official**
A Moscow court has ordered the arrest in absentia of Reine Alapini-Gansou, a top official at the International Criminal Court (ICC). The news was reported by Mediazona on November 13.
The case against Alapini-Gansou is based on charges of “illegal detention.” She has been placed on Russia’s wanted list. The move comes as part of Russia’s efforts to pressure and intimidate ICC judges.
**Background**
Alapini-Gansou is a Beninese jurist with experience in women’s rights and human rights advocacy. She was elected to the ICC in 2018 and became deputy president earlier this year. In March, she was one of the judges who issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and official Maria Lvova-Belova.
**Russia’s Targeting of ICC Judges**
This is not the first time Russia has targeted ICC officials. Earlier this year, a warrant in absentia was issued against another ICC judge, Haykel Ben Mahfoudh. He had been part of a panel that issued arrest warrants for Russian military leaders over alleged war crimes in Ukraine.
**ICC Actions Against Russia**
The ICC has taken action against Russia over its actions in Ukraine. In March, it issued arrest warrants for two Russian military commanders, Lieutenant General Sergei Kobylash and Admiral Viktor Sokolov, over their role in attacks on Ukrainian electricity infrastructure during the 2022-2023 winter.
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