Khabarovsk Trial of Japanese War Criminals (on the 75th Anniversary of the Event)

Introduction. The article is dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the Khabarovsk trial of Japanese war criminals. The purpose of the work is to analyze the historical events preceding the Khabarovsk Tribunal and its significance for the prevention of crimes against peace and humanity. Theoretical Вasis. Methods. The study was conducted on the basis of historical documents and scientific research on the Khabarovsk process, analyzed materials describing the events of the Great Patriotic War and the post-war period. The research methodology consisted of comparative law, historical and legal methods, inductive and analytical generalization, the method of structural functionalism, etc. Results. The article shows the aggressive policy of Japanese imperialism, the key role of the USSR in the capitulation of Japan. Evidence is given of the villainous treatment of prisoners of war and civilians by the Japanese in the occupied territories, the use of bacteriological weapons by Japan in the territories bordering the USSR and in China. The features of the Khabarovsk trial are studied. Discussion and Conclusion. The article assesses the Khabarovsk trial, which, together with the Nuremberg and Japanese trials, laid the foundation for the establishment of the norms and principles of modern international law concerning punishment for war crimes, crimes against peace and humanity, and also laid the foundation for the subsequent struggle to outlaw bacteriological weapons.