U.S. blacklists ICC prosecutor over Afghanistan war crimes probe

The USA on Wednesday imposed sanctions on Global Legal Court docket prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo mentioned, over her investigation into whether or not American forces dedicated battle crimes in Afghanistan.

Pompeo additionally mentioned Phakiso Mochochoko, the top of the ICC’s Jurisdiction, Complementarity and Cooperation Department, had additionally been blacklisted underneath sanctions licensed by way of President Donald Trump in June that let for asset freezes and shuttle bans.

“As of late we take your next step, for the reason that ICC continues to focus on American citizens, unfortunately,” Pompeo advised newshounds.

Pompeo additionally mentioned that folks and entities that proceed to materially beef up Bensouda and Mochochoko would chance publicity to sanctions as neatly.

The State Division additionally limited the issuance of visas for people Pompeo mentioned have been concerned within the court docket’s efforts to research U.S. team of workers, despite the fact that he didn’t identify the ones affected.

Bensouda used to be given the go-ahead by way of the court docket in March to research whether or not battle crimes have been dedicated in Afghanistan by way of the Taliban, Afghan army and U.S. forces.

The USA revoked Bensouda’s access visa ultimate 12 months over the conceivable Afghanistan inquiry. However underneath an settlement between the United International locations and Washington, she used to be nonetheless in a position to frequently shuttle to New York to temporary the U.N. Safety Council on circumstances it had referred to the court docket in The Hague.

Reporting by way of Daphne Psaledakis, Michelle Nichols, Susan Heavey and David Brunnstrom; Modifying by way of Paul Simao.