‘Evidence is overwhelming’: Lawyer explains International Criminal Court’s Ukraine investigation

Melbourne lawyer William Lye says the evidence of atrocities in Ukraine is “overwhelming” as Australian legal experts join a global hunt for signs of Russian war crimes committed to present to the International Criminal Court.

Mr Lye is among 10 experts interviewing more than 2,000 refugees who have arrived in Australia about what they have seen and are gathering physical evidence of atrocities.

“We are formulating a framework of questions that we can then roll out on an online platform in order to then identify the potential victims and witnesses to the atrocities that’s happening in Ukraine,” he said.

Mr Lye told Sky News Australia the International Criminal Court prosecutor is currently investigating on the ground, working with the Ukrainian government to collect evidence and document the atrocities taking place there.

“The evidence is overwhelming,” he said.

“At the moment, what is critical is being able to collect the information on the ground, document it, look for witnesses who have direct evidence as to what has happened.

“It is going to be a long process, it is going to be protected, but it will be carefully done.

“There are only four crimes they are looking at, crimes that are more serious in nature and of international concern: It’s genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and crimes of aggression.”