The UN International Court of Arbitration tribunal will begin hearings on October 11 in the case of Russia's seizure of Ukrainian ships and sailors in the Kerch Strait in November 2018.
This is stated in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.
The hearings to be held in the Arbitration concern Russia's objections to the Arbitration's jurisdiction. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that the case concerns violations of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea by the Russian Federation.
It will be recalled that on November 25, 2018, Russia arrested three Ukrainian warships and 24 crew members in the Black Sea. Ukrainian vessels were detained by Russia for about a year, crews – more than 9 months. All this time, Russia has been prosecuting under Russian law.
However, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, in accordance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, warships and their crews are endowed with absolute immunity, which prohibits foreign states from inspecting, arresting, detaining and prosecuting.
«Such actions by the Russian Federation are a violation of fundamental principles of international law. Ukraine has already proven a gross violation of international law by Russia, when the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea imposed mandatory interim measures requiring Russia to immediately release three Ukrainian naval vessels. And 24 detained Ukrainian sailors,» the statement said.
«Ukraine will respond to Russia's objections to jurisdiction at oral hearings. Ukraine is confident that the tribunal will recognize jurisdiction in this case and that Russia will be held accountable for gross violations of the law of the sea,» the Foreign Ministry said.
Russia will present its position on October 11, and Ukraine on October 12. The hearing will begin at 14:00 Kyiv time.
As reported, the composition of the delegation to participate in the hearings of the Arbitration Tribunal in the case of Ukraine against Russia on the detention of Ukrainian naval vessels and their crews was approved by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.
