ICC prosecutor warns that “threats” against the Court are a “crime” and undermine impartiality

The public prosecutor of International Criminal Court (CPI), Karim Khan, has warned that the hazards launching “retaliatory actions” against the court and its staff undermines the “independence and impartiality” of its work, and may also “constitute a crime against the administration of justice.”

The prosecutor issued a statement demanding “all efforts to obstruct, intimidate, or improperly influence” its officials stop immediately” and has warned that threatening the court, even if “not acted upon”, “may constitute a crime against the administration of justice under Article 70 of the Rome Statute”, the ICC’s founding treaty.

Khan has assured that his team “seeks to work constructively with all stakeholders where such dialogue is in accordance with the mandate” and to act “independently and impartially” under the Statute.

“However, that independence and impartiality are undermined when individuals threaten to retaliate against the Court or its staff in the exercise of their mandate, and when they make decisions on investigations or cases within their jurisdiction,” he added , without mentioning a specific country.

The EU defends the independence of the ICC

The European Commission has defended the independence of the International Criminal Court (ICC) after the court denounced attempts at “interference” and “intimidation” against its employees.

“The EU supports the protection of the independence of the ICC and the integrity of the Rome Statute. Threats against the court and its officials are unacceptable“said EU External Action Service spokesman Peter Stano in a message published on the social network X.