President Trump on Thursday issued an executive order authorizing sanctions against anyone who took part in the investigation of the American International Criminal Court or US allies – because aides said Russia might be behind the investigation into the War in Afghanistan.
International appeals court in March authorize the investigation about possible war crimes in Afghanistan, rejecting previous US warnings, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last year threatening visa ban to participants.
The broad new order authorizes Pompeo to order crippling economic penalties against ICC workers and anyone who assists in investigations, in addition to travel restrictions.
“There is Russian influence here,” a senior government official told a small group of reporters on Thursday, adding that further information would likely be published in the “coming days.”
“We are worried that Russia might manipulate the ICC by encouraging these allegations against US personnel,” the official said.
Investigation of the War in Afghanistan is one of 13 currently being pursued by a court based in the Netherlands. It was requested by ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, a Gambian citizen.
“ICC investigations without respect for Afghanistan are being pushed forward by integrity organizations that have doubts, and may be targets of corruption, defaming those influenced by Russia and others,” the senior US official said. “Furthermore, we have reason to believe there is corruption and wrongdoing at the highest level of the ICC prosecutor’s office, questioning the integrity of this investigation of American personnel.”
Although it was revealed to hinder the investigation of US forces in Afghanistan, the order could ultimately protect other US allies who participated in the Afghanistan War, or Israel.
“The ICC has in recent months made steps towards investigating Israel’s opening, regarding the situation with the Palestinians,” the official said. “That could, if the ICC continues down that road, it could be another potential target for the appointment and sanction under this order.”
Spokesmen for the ICC and the Russian embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The US official said they hoped the potentially severe sentence, which was made in conjunction with the declaration of a national emergency, would succeed if the previous threat failed.
“There are around 1,000 employees of the International Criminal Court. The exact number who participated in this investigation remains to be seen. “Of course we hope that this sends a strong message to the ICC to stop this investigation,” said a senior administration official. “For countries that may be faced with requests from the ICC, we also in this order explain to them that there will be consequences for participating or providing assistance.”
