Friday, July 03, 2020

US sanctions on ICC staff are unprecedented, says Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda

Issued on: 02/07/2020 -
 

© FRANCE 24 screengrab

Fatou Bensouda, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), tells FRANCE 24’s Marc Perelman that the decision to sanction the ICC officials investigating alleged war crimes committed by US troops in Afghanistan is "a naked attempt to interfere with the course of justice".

Bensouda describes the US decision as an “unprecedented and coercive” move against the court and its judicial independence, noting that such sanctions are usually reserved for terrorists and drug traffickers.

Despite the economic and legal pressure the court has come under, Benouda said she is determined to continue her investigations, which include probing suspected crimes carried out by Israel in the Palestinian Territories, despite the pressure Israel is also putting on the court.

Click on the video player to watch the full interview.

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