International Criminal Court ‘about to probe US war crimes in Afghanistan’ – report

Over the next few weeks, the International Criminal Court (ICC) could open an investigation into war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Afghan war, including those allegedly committed by American troops, Foreign Policy magazine reports.

Citing “several knowledgeable sources,” the magazine claims that the ICC’s chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, is several weeks from launching a thorough and comprehensive investigation into violations in conducting war that could implicate US soldiers, Taliban insurgents and, possibly, the Afghan government.

If indeed launched, the investigation would be the first of its kind. The ICC has never considered bringing war crimes charges against American army personal for acts committed in Afghanistan before.

While the investigation will be neatly timed to forgo the US presidential elections, it is expected to be set up by no later than the end of this year, Foreign Policy says. The report adds that a US delegation allegedly made a recent trip to The Hague, which hosts the ICC, to find out more about the possible scope of the probe.

It remains unknown if the prosecution would go so far as to charge American servicemen with war crimes, as such allegations need to be backed by a preponderance of incriminating evidence, which the ICC does not boast as of now.

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