Trump authorises sanctions on ICC officials probing Afghanistan war crimes case

US President Donald Trump authorised ecomic and travel sanctions against employees of International Criminal Court (ICC) involved in investigation of alleged war crimes committed by American forces in Afghanistan. executive order signed by Trump said that “illegitimate assertions of jurisdiction” over US personnel threatens to subject current and former government and allied officials to harassment, abuse, and possible arrest.

“ United States seeks to impose tangible and significant consequences on those responsible for ICC’s transgressions, which may include suspension of entry into United States of ICC officials, employees, and nts, as well as ir immediate family members,” order said.

Anuncing executive order, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that ICC cant subject Americans to arrest, prosecution, and jail since America is t a party to Rome Statute that created ICC. He opined that even if a prosecution were to proceed, it would make a mockery of due process as re is requirement for unanimity for a conviction and prosecution can rely on hearsay to obtain a conviction.

“We cant, we will t stand by as our people are threatened by a kangaroo court,” said top US diplomat.

“I have a mess to many close allies around world. Your people could be next, especially those from NATO countries who fought terrorism in Afghanistan right alongside us,” he ded.

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'Reason to doubt honesty'

Attorney-General William Barr said that US is concerned that foreign powers, like Russia, are also manipulating ICC in pursuit of ir own nda. Barr said that measures anunced by Trump ministration are an important first step in holding ICC accountable for “exceeding its mandate” and “violating sovereignty” of US.

“ Department of Justice has received substantial, credible information that raises serious concerns about a long history of financial corruption and malfeasance at highest levels of office of prosecutor,” said Barr during press briefing, emphasising that US has reason to doubt honesty of ICC.

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