By Steve Neavling
The Justice Department on Wednesday charged four Russian soldiers with war crimes after they allegedly tortured an American during the invasion of Ukraine.
It was the first time the DOJ has used a war crimes statute since it was enacted nearly three decades ago, The New York Times reports.
The charges allege the soldiers detained, severely beat and tortured an American citizen after abducting him from his home in the village of Mylove following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.
The soldiers live in Russia, and Garland said the chances of arresting them is remote.
Attorney General Merrick Garland said additional charges could be filed against Russians who committed “atrocities on the largest scale in any European armed conflict since the Second World War.”
Garland also said the DOJ is investigating Hamas fighters who are accused of the “murder of more than 30 Amerians” during the Oct. 7 attack in Israel.
