CrimeaSOS: the occupiers massively steal livestock from the residents of Crimea

In the occupied Crimea, the russians are seizing livestock from local residents on a large scale. This was reported by CrimeaSOS analyst Yevhenii Yaroshenko.

“CrimeaSOS received confirmation of information about the seizure of livestock belonging to villagers in Crimea. This is happening in many areas of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. Occupation inspectors come to households, forcibly do tests on livestock, after which they allegedly declare that livestock is infected. Then the livestock is taken from the villagers. At the same time, the occupiers not only take livestock from Crimean villagers, but also force them to pay for tests and removal of livestock”, — said Yevhenii Yaroshenko.

The russians are seizing farmers’ livestock in large quantities from different parts of the peninsula. The occupiers justify the seizure with the alleged “disease” of livestock. Animals are taken for “testing” and not returned to their owners.

Such actions of russia violate Article 46 of the Regulations concerning the Laws and Customs of War on Land (Annex IV of the Hague Convention respecting the Laws and Customs of War on Land of 1907) and Article 53 of the IV Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 1949, which protect ownership of the occupied territory.

Destroying or seizing the enemy’s property unless such destruction or seizure be imperatively demanded by the necessities of war, is a war crime in accordance with Art. 8 (2)(b)(xiii) of the 1998 Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.