Russian president, Vladimir Putin has signed a decree to withdraw Russia from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The decision came after the ICC ruled Russia’s activity in Crimea was an “ongoing occupation”.
Russian forces have also been accused of war crimes in Syria in recent months, with Human Rights Watch (HRW) and other groups calling for an ICC investigation.
Russia became a signatory of the Rome Statute in 2000, but did not to ratify the treaty – rendering this decision a highly symbolic one.
Tanya Lokshina of HRW said, “on a practical level it will not make much difference, but it is a statement of direction: it shows that Russia no longer has any intention of ratifying the treaty in future or of cooperating with the court.”
Russia’s withdrawal follows the withdrawal of South Africa, Burundi and the Gambia earlier this year.