A spokesperson for the European Judicial Cooperation Agency Eurojust confirmed to CBS News, the American partner of the BBC, that the United States is withdrawing from the International Center for the Prosecution of Crimes of Aggression against Ukraine (ICPA), News.bg reports.
"Eurojust has been informed by the US authorities that they will no longer participate in the work of the ICPA", the spokesperson said. At the same time, he said, the center will continue to fulfill its duties.
Earlier, the New York Times reported that the decision would be officially announced in an email to staff and members of the ICPA's parent organization, Eurojust.
The group was created to hold Russia's leadership accountable for crimes that are defined as aggression under international law.
The United States has appointed a special adviser on crimes of aggression to assist the center and contribute to its database.
The center includes national prosecutors who are part of the Joint Investigation Team. They work closely together, exchanging evidence and agreeing on a common strategy. Eurojust provides operational, legal, financial and logistical support, including for the storage and analysis of evidence.
As the International Criminal Court (ICC) cannot investigate Russia, due to the fact that it is not a party to the Rome Statute, the Commission has proposed the establishment of an accountability mechanism to provide opportunities for investigating the crime of aggression. Evidence collected by the Centre could be used in other national and international courts, including before a possible tribunal for the crime of aggression or the ICC.