{"id":1878,"date":"2026-08-06T15:37:15","date_gmt":"2026-08-06T13:37:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/galen.de\/?page_id=1878"},"modified":"2026-08-06T15:41:37","modified_gmt":"2026-08-06T13:41:37","slug":"international-criminal-law","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/galen.de\/en\/rechtsgebiete\/voelkerstrafrecht\/","title":{"rendered":"International criminal law"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"1878\" class=\"elementor elementor-1878\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6acff9f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6acff9f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b14b524 red-underline elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b14b524\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Investigations into crimes under the International Criminal Code (VStGB)<\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Accusations under international criminal law are among the most serious criminal charges that can be leveled against a person. Proceedings in this area are not only legally complex, but also regularly have significant political implications and attract considerable public attention.<\/span><\/p><p><strong>The following offenses are included in international criminal law:<\/strong><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Genocide (\u00a7 6 VStGB)<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Crimes against humanity (\u00a7 7 VStGB)<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">War crimes (\u00a7\u00a7 8-12 VStGB)\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Crime of aggression (\u00a7 13 VStGB)<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Violation of supervisory duty (\u00a7 14 VStGB)<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Failure to report a criminal offense (\u00a7 15 VStGB)<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>With the entry into force of the German Code of Crimes against International Law (VStGB), the German legislature codified the crimes of international criminal law defined in the Rome Statute into national law. Based on the principle of universal jurisdiction, these crimes can be prosecuted in Germany \u2013 even if they were committed abroad and there is no direct connection to Germany (\u00a7 1 sentence 1 VStGB).\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The International Criminal Court merely complements domestic criminal jurisdiction (Preamble, paragraph 10, Article 1 of the ICC Statute). If a state investigates or prosecutes an international crime, the ICC has no jurisdiction (principle of complementarity, Article 17, paragraph 1 of the ICC Statute).<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Particularly as a result of the international conflicts of recent decades, such as those related to the civil war in Syria, there are numerous investigations in Germany concerning allegations of international criminal law.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a law firm operating nationwide in commercial and general criminal law, we also advise and defend clients in international criminal proceedings. Defense in international criminal law requires a profound understanding of the interfaces between national criminal law, international humanitarian law, and international criminal jurisdiction. Investigations can focus not only on individuals who are alleged to belong to a terrorist organization at the scene of the conflict or to have been otherwise involved in an armed conflict, but increasingly also on officials of foreign governments.<\/span><\/p><h2>International criminal law in Germany \u2013 Foundations of the International Criminal Code (VStGB)<\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Modern international criminal law is the result of centuries of historical development. A historically important milestone on this path was the Nuremberg Trials, which, after the Second World War, saw the first instance of prosecuting key international crimes under individual criminal law.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Following the ad hoc tribunals for the former Yugoslavia (1993\u20132017) and for Rwanda (1994\u20132015), the adoption of the Rome Statute of July 17, 1998, marked the decisive step towards establishing a codified international criminal law and a permanent international criminal court. The Statute entered into force on July 1, 2002, and defines the core crimes of international criminal law. Germany transposed its provisions into national law through the International Criminal Code.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">International criminal law is of paramount social and political importance. It serves to prosecute the most serious human rights violations and is intended to prevent impunity for systematic violent crimes. At the same time, its application raises complex questions regarding state sovereignty, the immunity of public officials, and the scope of international jurisdiction.<\/span><\/p><h2>When does a crime under the International Criminal Code occur?<\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The International Crimes Code regulates in particular the following offenses: genocide (\u00a7 6 VStGB), crimes against humanity (\u00a7 7 VStGB), war crimes (\u00a7\u00a7 8\u201312 VStGB) and the crime of aggression (\u00a7 13 VStGB).<\/span><\/p><h3>Genocide (\u00a7 6 VStGB)<\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Genocide is characterized by the perpetrator&#039;s intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a specific group of people. For genocide to be a crime, this intent need not be carried out. It is sufficient to commit one of the listed acts with this intent. These include, among others, the killing of a group member:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">inflicting serious physical or mental harm,<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to subject the group to living conditions designed to bring about their physical destruction in whole or in part,<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the imposition of measures intended to prevent births within the group, as well as<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the forced transfer of a child to another group.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><h3>Crimes against humanity (\u00a7 7 VStGB)<\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Crimes against humanity can consist of various acts besides the killing of a person, some of which overlap with those of genocide. A prerequisite in all cases is that the act is committed within the context of a widespread or systematic attack against a civilian population.<\/span><\/p><h3>War crimes (\u00a7 8 \u2013 12 VStGB)<\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The offense of war crimes encompasses further acts which \u2013 unlike crimes against humanity \u2013 must necessarily be committed in connection with an international or non-international conflict.<\/span><\/p><h3>Aggression (\u00a7 13 VStGB)<\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The crime of aggression specifically criminalizes waging a war of aggression.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Germany, international criminal proceedings were initiated particularly in connection with the civil war in Syria and the terrorist organization &quot;Islamic State&quot;. There were also proceedings related to special units of the Gambian armed forces and the Rwandan liberation movement in the Congo.<\/span><\/p><h2>How is an international criminal offense detected?<\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Germany, the Federal Prosecutor General at the Federal Court of Justice is regularly responsible for investigations under the German Code of Crimes against International Law (VStGB). First-instance jurisdiction for main proceedings is concentrated in the Higher Regional Courts.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Investigations are often initiated by tips from international or non-governmental organizations, statements from refugees, or media reports. So-called structural investigations \u2013 investigations without a specific suspect to clarify an overall incident \u2013 are also common in international criminal law.<\/span><\/p><p><strong>Typical investigative measures include:<\/strong><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">extensive witness examinations,<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the evaluation of digital communication tools,<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">international requests for legal assistance,<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">as well as cooperation with foreign law enforcement agencies.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>In individual cases, international arrest warrants or extradition requests may be added.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since the crime scenes are often located abroad, proving the case is particularly challenging. Linguistic, cultural, and political nuances must be taken into account. The defense is therefore regularly confronted with complex factual and legal issues that require a specialized approach.<\/span><\/p><h2>What penalties are threatened under international criminal law?<\/h2><p><strong>The penalties under the International Criminal Code are severe:<\/strong><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Section 6 of the German Code of Crimes against International Law (VStGB) generally provides for a life sentence for genocide, with the exception of less serious cases.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Life imprisonment can also be imposed for certain types of crimes against humanity and for certain war crimes. In less serious cases, at least a fixed-term prison sentence is imposed.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition to the main penalty, there are significant ancillary consequences. These include confiscation of assets under Sections 73 et seq. of the German Criminal Code (StGB), entries in the Federal Central Register, and consequences under immigration law, up to and including deportation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">International arrest warrants or wanted notices can further significantly restrict freedom of movement.<\/span><\/p><h2>Defense in international criminal law \u2013 Your advice from Galen Lawyers<\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Proceedings under the International Criminal Code require a defense team well-versed in national criminal procedure, international criminal law, and international law, while also possessing a thorough understanding of the political context. We will support you throughout the investigation, represent you before the Federal Prosecutor General and the Higher Regional Courts, and advise you on related legal issues such as extradition, international arrest warrants, and asset recovery.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a law firm specializing in criminal law, we are aware of the vital importance of such proceedings. Our goal is to consistently protect your rights within the framework of the rule of law.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have learned that you are under investigation, every day counts. Contact us as soon as possible \u2013 in a confidential initial consultation we will discuss your situation and the possible next steps.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-90a7900 elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"90a7900\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/galen.de\/en\/#kontakt\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Contact<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d4964c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6d4964c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ff3870e red-underline elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ff3870e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-no-translation=\"\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<style>.elementor-element-ff3870e{display:none !important}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-430f437 uael-faq-box-layout-yes align-at-left elementor-widget elementor-widget-uael-faq\" data-id=\"430f437\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"uael-faq.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div id='uael-faq-wrapper-703' class=\"uael-faq-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-faq-container uael-faq-layout-accordion\" data-layout=\"accordion\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"uael-accordion-6b79aef\" class=\"uael-faq-accordion\" role=\"tablist\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class= \"uael-accordion-title\" aria-expanded=\"false\" role=\"tab\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-accordion-icon uael-accordion-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-angle-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-angle-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-question-6b79aef uael-question-span\" tabindex=\"0\" id=\"uael-faq-1-6a8191dac79ac\">What is the principle of universal jurisdiction?<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-accordion-content\" role=\"tabpanel\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The principle of universal jurisdiction allows German law enforcement authorities to prosecute certain crimes regardless of where they were committed or the nationality of those involved. This is based on the assumption that these crimes affect the international community as a whole. In German law, this principle is enshrined in Section 1, Sentence 1 of the Code of Crimes against International Law (VStGB).<\/span><\/p><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"uael-accordion-8183eaa\" class=\"uael-faq-accordion\" role=\"tablist\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class= \"uael-accordion-title\" aria-expanded=\"false\" role=\"tab\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-accordion-icon uael-accordion-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-angle-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-angle-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-question-8183eaa uael-question-span\" tabindex=\"0\" id=\"uael-faq-2-6a8191dac7a33\">When does the International Criminal Court have jurisdiction?<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-accordion-content\" role=\"tabpanel\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The International Criminal Court generally acts only as a supplement to national criminal prosecution \u2013 specifically, when the crime is not already being prosecuted in a state or when that state is unwilling or unable to prosecute it itself. This so-called principle of complementarity is intended to safeguard the primary jurisdiction of nation-states.<\/span><\/p><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"uael-accordion-36f9a7b\" class=\"uael-faq-accordion\" role=\"tablist\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class= \"uael-accordion-title\" aria-expanded=\"false\" role=\"tab\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-accordion-icon uael-accordion-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-angle-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-angle-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-question-36f9a7b uael-question-span\" tabindex=\"0\" id=\"uael-faq-3-6a8191dac7a6e\">Can crimes committed many years ago also be prosecuted?<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-accordion-content\" role=\"tabpanel\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes. The prosecution and enforcement of crimes under the International Criminal Code are not subject to any statute of limitations (\u00a7 5 VStGB). Therefore, the passage of time since the crime does not, in principle, preclude prosecution.<\/span><\/p><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"uael-accordion-9146b73\" class=\"uael-faq-accordion\" role=\"tablist\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class= \"uael-accordion-title\" aria-expanded=\"false\" role=\"tab\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-accordion-icon uael-accordion-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-angle-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-angle-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-question-9146b73 uael-question-span\" tabindex=\"0\" id=\"uael-faq-4-6a8191dac7aa1\">What does managerial responsibility mean?<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-accordion-content\" role=\"tabpanel\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Superior responsibility refers to the criminal liability of military or civilian leaders for crimes committed by subordinates if the leader failed to prevent or adequately prosecute them.<\/span><\/p><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"uael-accordion-e3e4d09\" class=\"uael-faq-accordion\" role=\"tablist\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class= \"uael-accordion-title\" aria-expanded=\"false\" role=\"tab\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-accordion-icon uael-accordion-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-angle-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-angle-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-question-e3e4d09 uael-question-span\" tabindex=\"0\" id=\"uael-faq-5-6a8191dac7ada\">Does pre-trial detention automatically follow in international criminal proceedings?<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-accordion-content\" role=\"tabpanel\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No. Pre-trial detention requires a strong suspicion of a crime and a ground for detention, such as risk of flight or obstruction of justice. However, in international criminal proceedings, a risk of flight is frequently assumed, particularly in cases with international elements.<\/span><\/p><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"uael-accordion-200c5cd\" class=\"uael-faq-accordion\" role=\"tablist\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class= \"uael-accordion-title\" aria-expanded=\"false\" role=\"tab\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-accordion-icon uael-accordion-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-angle-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-angle-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-question-200c5cd uael-question-span\" tabindex=\"0\" id=\"uael-faq-6-6a8191dac7b18\">What role do international arrest warrants play?<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-accordion-content\" role=\"tabpanel\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">International arrest warrants can lead to arrests abroad and extradition proceedings. They have significant implications for freedom of movement and require independent legal review.<\/span><\/p><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"uael-accordion-0de18e3\" class=\"uael-faq-accordion\" role=\"tablist\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class= \"uael-accordion-title\" aria-expanded=\"false\" role=\"tab\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-accordion-icon uael-accordion-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-angle-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-angle-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-question-0de18e3 uael-question-span\" tabindex=\"0\" id=\"uael-faq-7-6a8191dac7b48\">What is the significance of international humanitarian law?<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-accordion-content\" role=\"tabpanel\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">International humanitarian law governs, among other things, the protection of civilians, prisoners of war, and combatants in armed conflicts. Many provisions of the German Code of Crimes against International Law (VStGB) serve to enforce international humanitarian law by criminalizing its violation.<\/span><\/p><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"uael-accordion-6e27a6b\" class=\"uael-faq-accordion\" role=\"tablist\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class= \"uael-accordion-title\" aria-expanded=\"false\" role=\"tab\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-accordion-icon uael-accordion-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-angle-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-angle-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-question-6e27a6b uael-question-span\" tabindex=\"0\" id=\"uael-faq-8-6a8191dac7b7d\">When should I seek legal advice?<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-accordion-content\" role=\"tabpanel\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You should seek legal advice as soon as you receive the first indications of an investigation or are contacted by investigating authorities. Early legal representation allows you to make strategic decisions and fully exercise your procedural rights.<\/span><\/p><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ermittlungsverfahren wegen Straftaten nach dem V\u00f6lkerstrafgesetzbuch (VStGB) Vorw\u00fcrfe nach dem V\u00f6lkerstrafrecht geh\u00f6ren zu den schwerwiegendsten strafrechtlichen Anschuldigungen, die eine Person treffen k\u00f6nnen. Verfahren in diesem Bereich sind nicht nur strafrechtlich komplex, sondern haben regelm\u00e4\u00dfig eine erhebliche politische Tragweite und stehen medial im Fokus der \u00d6ffentlichkeit. Zum V\u00f6lkerstrafrecht z\u00e4hlen die folgenden Tatbest\u00e4nde: V\u00f6lkermord (\u00a7 6 VStGB) [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":1288,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1878","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t<!-- All in One SEO Pro 5.0.0.1 - aioseo.com -->\n\t<meta name=\"description\" content=\"V\u00f6lkerstrafrecht und VStGB: Galen Rechtsanw\u00e4lte verteidigt bei Ermittlungen wegen V\u00f6lkermord, Kriegsverbrechen und Verbrechen gegen die Menschlichkeit.\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"max-image-preview:large\" \/>\n\t<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/galen.de\/en\/rechtsgebiete\/voelkerstrafrecht\/\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"generator\" content=\"All in One SEO Pro (AIOSEO) 5.0.0.1\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Galen Rechtsanw\u00e4lte Berlin | Strafrecht &amp; Compliance - Galen Rechtsanw\u00e4lte Berlin\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"V\u00f6lkerstrafrecht | Galen Rechtsanw\u00e4lte Berlin\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"V\u00f6lkerstrafrecht und VStGB: Galen Rechtsanw\u00e4lte verteidigt bei Ermittlungen wegen V\u00f6lkermord, Kriegsverbrechen und Verbrechen gegen die Menschlichkeit.\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/galen.de\/en\/rechtsgebiete\/voelkerstrafrecht\/\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-08-06T13:37:15+00:00\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-08-06T13:41:37+00:00\" \/>\n\t\t<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n\t\t<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"V\u00f6lkerstrafrecht | Galen Rechtsanw\u00e4lte Berlin\" \/>\n\t\t<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"V\u00f6lkerstrafrecht und VStGB: Galen Rechtsanw\u00e4lte verteidigt bei Ermittlungen wegen V\u00f6lkermord, Kriegsverbrechen und Verbrechen gegen die Menschlichkeit.\" \/>\n\t\t<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"aioseo-schema\">\n\t\t\t{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/galen.de\\\/en\\\/rechtsgebiete\\\/voelkerstrafrecht\\\/#breadcrumblist\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/galen.de\\\/en#listItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/galen.de\\\/en\",\"nextItem\":{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/galen.de\\\/en\\\/rechtsgebiete\\\/#listItem\",\"name\":\"Rechtsgebiete\"}},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/galen.de\\\/en\\\/rechtsgebiete\\\/#listItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Rechtsgebiete\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/galen.de\\\/en\\\/rechtsgebiete\\\/\",\"nextItem\":{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/galen.de\\\/en\\\/rechtsgebiete\\\/voelkerstrafrecht\\\/#listItem\",\"name\":\"V\\u00f6lkerstrafrecht\"},\"previousItem\":{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/galen.de\\\/en#listItem\",\"name\":\"Home\"}},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/galen.de\\\/en\\\/rechtsgebiete\\\/voelkerstrafrecht\\\/#listItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"V\\u00f6lkerstrafrecht\",\"previousItem\":{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/galen.de\\\/en\\\/rechtsgebiete\\\/#listItem\",\"name\":\"Rechtsgebiete\"}}]},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/galen.de\\\/en\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Galen Rechtsanw\\u00e4lte Berlin | Strafrecht &amp; Compliance\",\"description\":\"Galen Rechtsanw\\u00e4lte in Berlin: Strafverteidigung, Wirtschaftsstrafrecht, Compliance-Beratung und Whistleblowing. 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