Nov 4, 2017

An investigation is being opened into war crimes in Afghanistan

Haley Britzky

Fatou Bensouda. Photo: Peter Dejong / AP

Fatou Bensouda, prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, has requested authorization for a formal investigation into war crimes and crimes against humanity in Afghanistan, according to NPR. "The ultimate focus will be upon those most responsible for the most serious crimes allegedly committed in connection with the situation in Afghanistan," Bensouda wrote.

Why it matters: Bensouda reported last year that there is a "reasonable basis to believe" U.S. forces subjected "at least 61 detained persons to torture, cruel treatment, outrages upon personal dignity" in Afghanistan over a span of 11 years, NPR reports. Eric Pahon, a Pentagon spokesman, said "an ICC investigation with respect to U.S. personnel would be wholly unwarranted and unjustified."

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