Just three weeks after the war began, Eurojust supported the establishment of a JIT into alleged core international crimes committed in Ukraine. The speed at which the JIT was set up between Ukraine, Lithuania and Poland, followed by the prompt membership of four additional countries (Estonia, Latvia, Slovakia and Romania), the participation of the ICC and later also Europol, and a Memorandum of Understanding with the United States, has sent a clear message that no effort will be spared in gathering evidence and bringing those responsible to justice. The JIT is enabling close cooperation between all parties involved, and an effective and swift exchange of information and evidence.

The aim of the JIT is to facilitate investigations and prosecutions in the States concerned, as well as those which could be taken forward to the ICC. The Agency provides critical support to all JIT parties, including to investigators on the ground in Ukraine.

Eurojust ensures that the work of the JIT remains aligned with the various national Ukraine-related investigations currently ongoing in over 20 countries. During 2022, 18 cases were opened at Eurojust by national authorities in 8 Member States and 2 third countries in support of ongoing investigations in relation to war crimes and crimes against humanity, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine, via the Ukrainian Liaison Prosecutor at Eurojust, is involved in all of these cases.

Support to the JIT on alleged core international crimes committed in Ukraine

The Network of National Experts on Joint Investigation Teams (the JITs Network) is a network of national judicial and law enforcement practitioners who promote the use of JITs by competent national authorities. The JITs Network is supported by the JITs Network Secretariat, which is hosted by Eurojust. The JIT investigating alleged core international crimes committed in Ukraine relies on Eurojust’s and the JITs Network Secretariat’s legal, analytical, financial, logistical, administrative and operational support.

The JITs Network Secretariat has played an active role in supporting the JIT, including in the preparation of the JIT agreement and appendix on cooperation with the ICC, and by assisting the JIT parties with a range of legal issues. The JITs Network Secretariat also provides the JIT with financial support and equipment for JIT parties to communicate securely. To respond to the JIT’s specific needs, the JITs Network Secretariat has ensured agile support through its standard, urgent and exceptional funding procedures.