The International Criminal Court (ICC) chief has lashed out at America’s threat over moves to investigate alleged abuses during the conflict in Afghanistan.
ICC President Chile Eboe-Osuji, referring to the cancellation of a prosecutor’s visa, slammed the US action as “very troubling”.
The US revoked the visa of Fatou Bensouda after she sought permission to probe the alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Afghanistan.
In an interview, the ICC president said: “It is to be regretted and [is] very disappointing, in the sense that the US is one country that has been credited with the modern appreciation of the rule of law.”
The Financial Times quoted Eboe-Osuji as expressing his surprise over the US threat against the court for exercising its judicial independence.
The court’s appeals chamber is expected to rule soon on whether the Afghanistan investigation should be allowed to go ahead.
In April, a first instance panel of court judges ruled the proposed investigation would not serve the interests of justice.
According to the London-based newspaper, Eboe-Osuji, a Nigerian national had recused himself from the appeal hearing so he would remain free to speak about the case.
