Global Rights Compliance (GRC) participated in a joint training and methodological seminar organised by the Odesa Regional Prosecutor’s Office on the challenges of investigating war crimes, collecting evidence in criminal proceedings, and ensuring accountability for military commanders of the aggressor state.
The seminar brought together representatives of the Odesa Regional Prosecutor’s Office, the Security Service of Ukraine, the National Police of Ukraine, the Interagency Working Group of Military Experts at the Office of the Prosecutor General, and GRC experts to discuss practical and legal challenges arising in the investigation and prosecution of conflict-related crimes.
During the event, participants discussed the key challenges in investigating attacks carried out by the Russian armed forces, including evidentiary issues that arise in such cases. Particular attention was given to establishing responsibility for ordering attacks, the application of command responsibility, and approaches to prioritising attack-related proceedings.
As part of the seminar, GRC representatives delivered presentations on key issues arising in the investigation of attacks under international humanitarian law.
Naira Arutyunova, Legal Adviser at GRC, delivered a presentation on the typology of attacks and the evidentiary foundations required to support their legal qualification.
Olha Kotlyarska, Deputy Lead of GRC’s Mobile Justice Team (MJT) South, delivered a presentation on linkage evidence, including approaches to establishing responsibility for ordering attacks and key challenges related to command responsibility.
GRC has been supporting the Odesa Regional Prosecutor’s Office since 2023 as part of its broader efforts to strengthen the investigation and prosecution of international crimes committed in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
GRC’s Mobile Justice Teams are part of the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group, a multilateral initiative established by the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States to support Ukrainian law enforcement and prosecutors in investigating and prosecuting international crimes committed in the context of the full-scale invasion.