Members of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) have been diligently working on a unified prosecutorial strategy that prioritizes investigations into the crime of aggression, crimes of torture, ill-treatment, and filtration in relation to illegal detention sites, as well as the crime of genocide. This coordinated effort is crucial in the ongoing legal battle to hold accountable those responsible for the atrocities committed in Ukraine.

Coordination and Data Exchange

Since March 2022, Eurojust has organized 26 coordination meetings between the JIT and other national authorities investigating alleged core international crimes committed in Ukraine. These meetings facilitate the exchange of data from domestic investigations, allowing involved countries to discuss strategies, priorities, and coordinate investigative measures. This collaborative approach is essential for building a comprehensive case against those responsible for these heinous acts.

Financial and Logistical Support

Eurojust has committed to continuing its support for the JIT’s important work, allocating roughly half a million euros to finance its activities. This financial backing is critical for the JIT’s operations, ensuring that the investigations are well-resourced and can proceed effectively.

The International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression Against Ukraine (ICPA)

The ICPA has made significant progress in compiling a solid case-building package for the crime of aggression. This package relies on a common investigative and prosecutorial strategy agreed upon by ICPA participants. The case-building package is intended for transmission to the future office of the prosecutor of a possible special tribunal or other jurisdictions.

The ICPA has and continues to ensure the collection and preliminary analysis of potential evidence that may relate to individuals at the highest levels of military and political leadership. Investigative efforts are not limited by the official positions that individuals may hold.

Eurojust

As the aggression in Ukraine continues, there is a growing body of evidence that the ICPA is actively investigating. The ICPA has received additional funding, and in January 2025, its operations were extended for six months. To this end, an amendment to the Contribution Agreement was signed between Eurojust and the European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments.

The Core International Crimes Evidence Database (CICED)

CICED is a unique, tailor-made judicial database set up by Eurojust to preserve, analyze, and store evidence of core international crimes. This database enables Eurojust to support national judicial authorities in identifying evidence located in another country that may be relevant to their own investigations. To date, over 3,700 evidence files have been submitted to CICED by 16 countries.

In January 2025, a new translation tool enabled evidence files submitted by national authorities to be translated from 19 languages into English. This game-changer has greatly accelerated the Agency’s analytical work. As a result, the database’s search function is more precise, and requests for information from national authorities can be answered more swiftly.

Eurojust has been working hard to respond to national authorities’ requests to support their investigations into core international crimes. In addition, the Agency has proactively identified files deemed useful for ongoing national investigations.

Background and Context

Since the outbreak of the war, Eurojust has been at the forefront of supporting accountability for Russian crimes. Just three weeks following the full-scale invasion by Russia in 2022, Eurojust supported the setting up of a JIT that now consists of Ukraine, six EU Member States, the participation of the ICC and Europol, as well as a Memorandum of Understanding with the United States.

In a fragmented and complex operational landscape, with the ongoing war and evidence spread across countries with different legal systems, the JIT allows partners to exchange information directly and in real time. It also helps JIT members to streamline their investigations, as the national authorities involved can now focus on actively building their cases.

Eurojust provides legal and analytical expertise as well as logistical and financial support to the JIT.

Additional Support and Initiatives

In February 2023, Eurojust launched the Core International Crimes Evidence Database (CICED), based on an urgent amendment of Eurojust’s mandate, following the invasion of Ukraine. The International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression Against Ukraine (ICPA), established in July 2023, is also hosted by Eurojust and, together with CICED, supports the work of the JIT.

Since March 2022, Eurojust has actively participated in the EU Freeze and Seize Task Force set up by the European Commission to ensure the efficient implementation of EU sanctions against listed Russian and Belarusian oligarchs across the European Union. Eurojust provides operational support to the Task Force by coordinating Member States’ enforcement of Union sanctions through criminal law.

Together with the Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office, Eurojust co-chairs the workstream on national investigations of the Dialogue Group on Accountability for Ukraine. This workstream aims to identify key challenges in core international crime cases and jointly propose solutions at the policy level, for example on the use of open-source evidence in the investigation and prosecution of international crimes in the context of Ukraine.

Future Implications and Counterarguments

The efforts of Eurojust and the JIT are crucial for ensuring that those responsible for the atrocities in Ukraine are held accountable. However, some critics argue that the international legal system is slow and ineffective, and that the JIT’s efforts may not yield significant results in the near future. It is essential to address these concerns by continuing to build strong cases and ensuring that the legal process is transparent and efficient.

Moreover, the collaboration between Eurojust and various international bodies, including the United States, highlights the importance of global cooperation in addressing international crimes. This cooperation is not only beneficial for Ukraine but also sets a precedent for future international legal actions.

Conclusion

Eurojust’s comprehensive efforts in supporting the JIT and related initiatives are pivotal in the ongoing legal battle against the atrocities committed in Ukraine. The coordination, financial support, and legal expertise provided by Eurojust are essential for building strong cases and ensuring accountability. As the situation in Ukraine continues to evolve, the work of Eurojust and the JIT will remain crucial in the pursuit of justice.