News|Israel-Palestine conflictIsraeli army sniper in Chile accused of Gaza war crimes could face justiceRom Kovtun’s own social media posts reveal he was holidaying in the country, opening the door to ‘universal jurisdiction’ legal jeopardy.
A Chilean court is evaluating a criminal complaint against Rom Kovtun, a former Israeli army sniper who served in the Gaza Strip. Kovtun, of Israeli-Ukrainian descent, served in Israel’s 424th Shaked Battalion.
A Chilean court is evaluating a criminal complaint against Rom Kovtun, a former Israeli army sniper who served in the Gaza Strip. Kovtun, of Israeli-Ukrainian descent, served in Israel’s 424th Shaked Battalion.
Chile’s legal framework includes provisions from the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) Rome Statute, allowing for the exercise of universal jurisdiction in specific cases. This applies when it is evident that the accused will not be prosecuted in their country of origin, according to Pablo Andres Araya, a lawyer associated with the Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF).
The HRF is actively building legal cases based on evidence, including social media posts from Israeli soldiers, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The HRF operates with a global team of legal experts and activists to pursue these allegations.
A Chilean court is evaluating a criminal complaint against Rom Kovtun, a former Israeli army sniper who served in the Gaza Strip.
The complaint aligns with Chile's legal principles, which enable prosecution under universal jurisdiction when domestic legal systems are unlikely to address the alleged crimes. The HRF's efforts are part of a broader initiative to hold military personnel accountable for actions committed in conflict zones.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.
