Russia asks Netherlands to extradite nine ICC officials convicted in absentia
In short
Russia's Prosecutor General's Office said on 8 October 2026 that it had sent requests to the Netherlands' Ministry of Justice and Security, and to several other countries, for the arrest and extradition of nine International Criminal Court (ICC) officials. They include ICC President Piotr Hofmański and prosecutor Karim Khan. A Moscow court sentenced all nine in absentia in December 2025 to between 3.5 and 15 years.
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Russia's Prosecutor General's Office said on 8 October 2026 that it had sent requests to the Netherlands' Ministry of Justice and Security, and to several other countries, for the arrest and extradition of nine International Criminal Court officials convicted in absentia in Russia. Interfax, RIA Novosti and Vedomosti reported the announcement, citing the office's press service. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
According to the office, the requests cover ICC President Piotr Hofmański, first vice-president Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza, prosecutor Karim Khan, and judges Tomoko Akane, Rosario Salvatore Aitala, Sergio Gerardo Ugalde Godínez, Bertram Schmitt, Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou and Haykel Ben Mahfoudh. RIA Novosti, Vedomosti and Kommersant reported that all nine are on an international wanted list. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]
In December 2025 the Moscow City Court sentenced the nine in absentia to between 3.5 and 15 years in prison. They were found guilty under Part 2 of Article 299 (bringing a person known to be innocent to criminal liability or unlawfully opening a criminal case), Part 2 of Article 301 (unlawful detention or custody) and Part 2 of Article 360 (an attack, or threat of attack, on persons or institutions under international protection). Interfax reported that the case concerned the unlawful prosecution of Russian citizens. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]
The Prosecutor General's Office said Khan had "unlawfully brought criminal charges against citizens of the Russian Federation". It also said the ICC presidency had, without legal grounds, instructed judges to issue arrest warrants, and that these decisions broke international law and were made without evidence of the alleged crimes. The office noted that in November 2016 Russia's president signed an order on Russia's intention not to become a party to the Rome Statute. It said Russia is not a party to the statute and does not recognise the court's jurisdiction. [ 2 , 4 ]
Vedomosti reported that in July Russia's Foreign Ministry said Russia intended to secure Khan's extradition, and described him as the former ICC prosecutor. The paper said Khan can no longer claim immunity as an international official in Rome Statute states because he was removed from his post. RIA Novosti noted that Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said Russia does not recognise the ICC or its jurisdiction. Kommersant recalled that the ICC issued an arrest warrant for President Vladimir Putin and children's rights commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova over the "illegal deportation of children". In 2024 the court also issued warrants for former defence minister Sergei Shoigu, now secretary of the Security Council, and chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov. [ 3 , 4 , 6 ]
Why it matters
The requests turn Russia's in-absentia convictions of ICC officials into formal demands on the Netherlands and other states. Russia says it does not recognise the court's jurisdiction, and Russian outlets placed the move alongside the ICC's own arrest warrants for Russian officials. The documents do not say how the Netherlands or the other countries will respond.
Key facts
- Russia's Prosecutor General's Office sent requests for the arrest and extradition of nine ICC officials to the Netherlands' Ministry of Justice and Security. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Requests were also sent to several other countries, which the office did not name. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Those named include ICC President Piotr Hofmański and prosecutor Karim Khan. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]
- The list also includes first vice-president Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza and judges Tomoko Akane, Rosario Salvatore Aitala, Sergio Gerardo Ugalde Godínez, Bertram Schmitt, Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou and Haykel Ben Mahfoudh. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]
- The Moscow City Court convicted the nine in absentia in December 2025. [ 3 , 4 , 6 ]
- Their sentences range from 3.5 to 15 years. [ 2 , 3 ]
- They were convicted under Part 2 of Articles 299, 301 and 360 of Russia's Criminal Code. [ 2 , 4 ]
- All nine are on an international wanted list. [ 3 , 4 , 6 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The Prosecutor General's Office requested the arrest and extradition of nine ICC officials from the Netherlands. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- Requests were also sent to several other countries. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The nine include ICC President Piotr Hofmański and prosecutor Karim Khan. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]
- The Moscow City Court convicted the nine in absentia in December 2025. [ 3 , 4 , 6 ]
- The sentences run up to 15 years. [ 2 , 3 , 6 ]
- All nine are on an international wanted list. [ 3 , 4 , 6 ]
Still unclear
- Which other countries received requests. The Prosecutor General's Office spoke only of "several other countries" and did not name them.
- How the Netherlands and the other countries will respond. None of the documents reports a response from the Netherlands or any other recipient.
- Karim Khan's current position at the ICC. The Prosecutor General's Office and most outlets call him the ICC prosecutor, but Vedomosti calls him the former prosecutor and says he was removed from his post.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- TASS reports that the Prosecutor General's Office sent the Netherlands a request to extradite nine ICC officials. [ 1 ]
- Interfax publishes the office's statement listing the nine officials and the requests to other countries. [ 2 ]
- RIA Novosti reports the requests and says all nine are on an international wanted list. [ 3 ]
- Vedomosti reports the requests, adding that the Foreign Ministry sought Khan's extradition in July. [ 4 ]
- RBC reports the request to the Netherlands. [ 5 ]
- Kommersant reports the request and recalls the ICC's warrants for Russian officials. [ 6 ]