The public petitions system has now closed ahead of the Scottish Parliament elections on 7 May 2026. It is not possible to submit a new petition to the Scottish Parliament or sign a petition until after the election.
The petitions system will reopen at the start of the new parliamentary session.
For more information about the petitions process, please contact the committee team at petitions.committee@parliament.scot.
For more information about the election campaign period and the dissolution of the current parliament, please visit the Scottish Parliament’s Election 2026 webpage: https://www.parliament.scot/msps/elections/election-2026
Closed petition PE2207: I demand the Scottish Parliament create a pilot court to try Russian war criminals with Ukraine
I demand that the Scottish Government establish a pilot court to try Russian war criminals in cooperation with Ukraine and international bodies. This will make Scotland a center of international justice, ensuring punishment for the guilty, protection of victims, and adherence to international law, strengthening the country's authority globally and demonstrating commitment to justice and international legal principles.
Background information
The situation with Russian war crimes in Ukraine is massive and systematic: killings of civilians, torture, deportations, and destruction of infrastructure. International tribunals, including the ICC in The Hague, and Ukrainian national courts are physically and procedurally unable to efficiently handle all cases, especially against mid- and lower-level command personnel. Ukraine needs partners to transfer some cases to expedite justice and protect victims’ rights. Scotland has an independent judicial system, experience cooperating with international organizations, and infrastructure to hold trials, including in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Establishing a pilot court would allow cases against Russian war criminals to be heard on Scottish territory, ensuring transparency, compliance with international law, and witness protection. This would set an example for other countries and strengthen the international justice system.
This petition was considered by the Scottish Parliament
15 signatures