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ICC Judges Authorize Appeal Against Afghanistan Rejection

Associated Press

   THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS - International Criminal Court judges said
   Tuesday that the court's prosecutor can appeal against the rejection of
   her request to open an investigation into crimes linked to the
   long-running conflict in Afghanistan.

   In April, a panel of judges rejected the proposed investigation, saying
   it would not be in the interests of justice because an investigation
   and prosecution were unlikely to be successful as those targeted --
   including the United States, Afghan authorities and the Taliban -- are
   not expected to cooperate.

   Seeking leave to appeal, Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said that reasoning
   ran contrary to the court's goal of prosecuting grave crimes when
   national authorities are unwilling or unable to do so.

   Bensouda must now file a detailed appeal that will be considered by
   judges, a process likely to take months.

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