International Criminal Court accuses USA of war crimes

15.11.2016

“War crimes of torture and related ill-treatment by US military forces deployed to Afghanistan and in secret detention facilities operated by the Central Intelligence Agency” were noted in the ICC report.

Long-term investigations

The facts concerning US war crimes are mainly related to 2003 - 2004, when the first phase of the occupation of Afghanistan was launched. At least 61 people were subjected to torture and ill-treatment by US soldiers in the period from May 1st, 2003 to December 31st, 2014.

The CIA is blamed for similar crimes against 27 detainees not only in Afghanistan, but also in Poland, Romania, and Lithuania.

Legal consequences

The United States does not recognize the International Criminal Court (ICC) located in the Hague, so it can completely reject these accusations.

However, a wide campaign may be initiated against the Pentagon and the CIA by the states that are members of the ICC. They could issue arrest warrants for American citizens suspected of having committed such crimes.

The ICC is now considering the possibility of starting a thorough investigation on the matter.