President Vahagn Khachaturian signed the Armenian parliament’s decision to ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) into law on Sunday, placing the Caucasus country under the Hague-based institution’s jurisdiction despite warnings from its longtime ally Russia. This comes after Armenia stated it was considering ratifying the Rome Statute of the ICC on September 1st.

A succinct statement that was posted on the website of the Armenian presidency announced Khachaturian’s action.

“On October 13, the President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan signed a statement on the ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court signed on July 17, 1998 and on the adoption of a statement “On the retroactive recognition of the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court by the Republic of Armenia” based on Article 12, Part 3 of the Statute, the law.”

The current conflict has its roots in the division of the region between Armenia and Azerbaijan by the Soviet Union in the early 20th century, against the wishes of the predominantly Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh. Issues of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the right to self-determination are complex in this dispute under international law. 

Armenia’s recent joining of the ICC could allow investigations into alleged war crimes committed in Armenia or by Armenian nationals. Crimes with cross-border elements in Nagorno-Karabakh may also potentially fall under ICC jurisdiction. Domestic investigations by Armenia and Azerbaijan could trigger the ICC’s complementarity principle and deter further escalation of violence. ICC involvement may impact any future peace negotiations seeking amnesty deals, as the ICC is generally unwilling to withdraw arrest warrants in exchange for peace agreements.