MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The International Criminal Court (ICC) has distorted the events in South Ossetia in 2008 by refusing to investigate mass murders of Ossetians and ignoring evidence submitted by Russia, the head of Russia's Investigative Committee said.
"The ICC has distorted the circumstances viewed in the case by removing facts of mass killings and torture of the Ossetian population of South Ossetia as well as forced relocation of 16,000 of Ossetians from the probe," Alexander Bastrykin said in an interview with Rossiiskaya Gazeta to be published on Wednesday.
"The decision has been made despite unquestionable proof sent by the Investigative Committee to the ICC Prosecutor on ICC request," Bastrykin added.
In 2008, Georgia launched a military offensive against the breakaway republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, which escalated into a five-day war with Russia. Both regions declared independence from Georgia in the early 1990s. Their statehood was recognized by Russia following the 2008 conflict.
Pre-Trial Chamber I of the ICC has authorized an investigation for the crimes within the ICC jurisdiction, allegedly committed in and around South Ossetia between July 1 and October 10, 2008.
