Met Police gathering evidence into alleged war crimes in Ukraine to support International Criminal Court investigation

The Metropolitan Police’s War Crimes Team is gathering evidence in relation to alleged war crimes in Ukraine to support the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation, the force said.

Officers say they are particularly keen to hear from anyone who has witnessed or been the victim of any war crimes in Ukraine at any time from 21 November 2013 onwards.

Commander Richard Smith, Head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, which includes the War Crimes Team says his team is looking to "gather any evidence" that might be present in the UK of such crimes in Ukraine.

He said in a statement: "Following the news that the ICC had opened an investigation into war crimes in Ukraine, our War Crimes Team is now seeking to gather any evidence that might be present here in the UK of such crimes in Ukraine.

“This could be in the form of direct messages, images or videos that friends or relatives here in the UK have been sent by those in Ukraine.

"Or it could be somebody who was previously in Ukraine and who may have witnessed or even been a victim of a war crime and has since travelled to the UK".

Mr Smith added that he wishes to only hear from people who have a "direct link" to any evidence, as opposed to information they have heard from external sources.

He added in the statement: "To be clear though, we specifically want to hear from people who are now here in the UK, and who have a direct link to any relevant information or evidence.

"This is not about the general public highlighting or telling us about things they might have simply come across or seen in the media, online or on social media".

Anyone with information can report it via: https://www.met.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/war-crimes/af/report-a-war-crime/