loading…
A statement said the request was made to a court judge in connection with developments since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in a lightning strike last month. Read also: Archaeologists are worried about the Taliban turning ancient sites into opium fields
“The fall of the internationally recognized government of Afghanistan and its replacement by the Taliban represents a significant change of circumstances,” the ICC’s new prosecutor, Karim Khan, said in a statement.
“After careful review of the matter, I have reached the conclusion that there is currently no longer any prospect of a genuine and effective domestic investigation in Afghanistan.”
Currently, the Judge will review a request to continue the investigation, which has examined allegations of crime by all parties to the conflict, including U.S. forces, Afghan government forces, and the Taliban. Read also: Taliban asks international airlines to resume flights to Afghanistan
The ICC itself has spent 15 years investigating alleged war crimes in Afghanistan, before opening a full investigation last year. The investigation was delayed by the Afghan government, which said it was investigating the crime itself.
The Hague-based body is a court of last resort, intervening only when member states are unable or unwilling to prosecute war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide.
(esn)
.
