“The Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) urges media and commentators to refrain from publishing speculations or circulating rumours about any specific aspects, including those related to a potential outcome, of the on-going investigations,” said the Office in response to the question of Georgian First Channel and pointed out that “this is essential not only to protect the integrity of the investigations but also to ensure the safety and security of victims, witnesses and all those with whom the Office interacts.”

Georgian First Channel has inquired whether there is any progress regarding an ongoing investigation into the 2008 Russia-Georgia War case in Hague court.

“The ongoing investigation is currently in an advanced phase. Confidentiality is a crucial aspect of any investigation. The Office of the Prosecutor (‘Office’) therefore does not publicly comment on speculation or reports regarding its ongoing investigations, nor does the Office publicly discuss specifics related to its investigative activities,” noted the Office.

As part of its ongoing activities, the Office said its “investigators independently and impartially collect evidence from a variety of reliable sources regarding the alleged atrocity crimes. The Office carefully reviews and analyses such evidence collected, as the investigation seeks to uncover the truth about what happened.”

“At the end of the investigative process, if and when the evidence meets the required legal threshold, the Prosecutor will request judges to issue arrest warrants or summons to appear against anyone to whom the evidence points as having committed atrocity crimes.

As appropriate, the Office of the Prosecutor will inform the public at the time of any significant developments,” noted the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court.

Following authorisation by ICC Judges, on 27 January 2016, the Prosecutor of the ICC, Fatou Bensouda, opened an investigation into the situation in Georgia, focused on alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in and around South Ossetia between 1 July and 10 October 2008.