Armenia's parliament ratifies the Rome Statute of the ICC

Armenia's National Assembly has ratified the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. 60 lawmakers voted in favour and 22 against.

The government explains the decision by the need to strengthen international legal mechanisms to protect Armenia, including in connection with Azerbaijan's actions on the country's sovereign territory.

The decision drew a sharp reaction from the Kremlin: the ICC had earlier issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Moscow called Yerevan's step "unfriendly".

The Armenian authorities said the ratification was not directed against Russia and offered Moscow a bilateral agreement. The statute will enter into force for Armenia on 1 February 2024.