Chilean court reopens case against soldier accused of Gaza war crimes

A recent judicial ruling in Chile has revived scrutiny of a criminal complaint against an Israeli-Ukrainian soldier accused of committing war crimes in the Gaza Strip, reviving a legal debate over the application of universal jurisdiction in the country. The Santiago Court of Appeals overturned a prior ruling by the Eighth Guarantee Court, which had refused to examine the complaint against Rom Kovtun. The appellate court ruled that the question of jurisdiction cannot be decided without hearing all parties involved.  A public hearing is scheduled for 12th June, where the complainant, the defence, and the Public Prosecutor’s Office will present arguments on whether Chilean courts have the authority to investigate alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide committed abroad. […]