Russia asks Netherlands and other countries to hand over ICC President Akane
In short
Russia's Prosecutor General's Office announced on October 8 that it had requested the handover of International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane and others from the Netherlands and several other countries. Tokyo Shimbun and Nikkei reported that nine people are covered; Asahi Shimbun and Tokyo Shimbun said Dutch compliance is unlikely.
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Russia's Prosecutor General's Office said on October 8 that it had asked the Netherlands and several other countries to hand over International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane and others convicted in Russia, Japanese outlets reported. Tokyo Shimbun, carrying a Kyodo report, and Nikkei said nine people were covered. Nikkei said Russia sought their detention and transfer to Russia, describing the move as an apparent countermeasure against the ICC over its arrest warrant for Putin. [ 1 , 3 , 5 ]
Asahi Shimbun reported that the Russian statement also named former chief prosecutor Khan and former ICC president Hofmanski. The office alleged that those targeted had ordered arrest warrants without a legal basis. A Moscow court convicted Akane and other ICC officials in absentia in December 2025, imposing prison terms ranging from three and a half to 15 years, Asahi and Tokyo Shimbun reported. The Kyodo report said the charges included holding innocent people criminally responsible and that Akane's individual sentence had not been disclosed. [ 1 , 3 ]
The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Putin in March 2023 over suspected war crimes connected with the invasion of Ukraine, the two papers reported. Tokyo Shimbun said the warrant concerned suspected involvement in taking children from Ukraine. It reported that Russian authorities considered the warrants unlawful and had placed Akane and others on a wanted list. [ 1 , 3 ]
Asahi and Tokyo Shimbun said the Netherlands, where the ICC is based, is unlikely to comply. Tokyo Shimbun reported that Dutch Prime Minister Jetten used a September address to the UN General Assembly to call for the ICC and institutions defending the international legal order to be left alone. Asahi also reported that the Trump administration announced sanctions on Akane in August and that Trump urged ICC member states to withdraw. [ 1 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The request follows the ICC's 2023 arrest warrant for Putin and Russian convictions of ICC officials in absentia. Nikkei described the request as an apparent countermeasure against the court.
Key facts
- Russia announced on October 8 that it had asked the Netherlands and other countries to hand over ICC President Tomoko Akane and others. [ 1 , 3 , 5 ]
- The request covers nine people. [ 3 , 5 ]
- A Moscow court convicted Akane and other ICC officials in absentia in December 2025, imposing sentences ranging from three and a half to 15 years. [ 1 , 3 ]
- The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Putin in March 2023. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Asahi Shimbun and Tokyo Shimbun reported that the Netherlands is unlikely to comply. [ 1 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Which other countries received Russia's request. The documents name the Netherlands but not the other countries.
- The sentence imposed on Akane individually. Tokyo Shimbun reported that the Moscow court did not disclose her sentence.
- Whether the Netherlands will comply. Asahi Shimbun and Tokyo Shimbun expect noncompliance but do not report a completed response to this request.