Probe into Afghan war crime abuses must go ahead: International Criminal Court
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The ICC verdict comes amid the US-Taliban peace deal which has seen large cracks in the past week with the Taliban resuming attacks on government forces after President Ghani refused to free Taliban prisoners.
The International Criminal Court(ICC) judge asserted today that possible atrocities committed by US forces should also be investigated.
"The prosecutor is authorised to commence an investigation into alleged crimes committed on the territory of Afghanistan since May 1, 2003," International Criminal Court judge Piotr Hofmanski said.
The probe which began in 2006 included alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Afghanistan since 2003.
Three years ago, chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda had asked judges for a full probe which included not just the Taliban and Afghanistan government personnel but also by US troops and the CIA.
The US authorities, however, had resisted moves by the ICC with US ex-national security advisor John Bolton warning two years ago that US would arrest ICC judges if the court pursued the probe.
The US hasn't joined the investigation and does not recognise its authority.
Also read: US-Taliban peace deal: What does it mean for Afghanistan and other stakeholders
The ICC's view comes amid the US-Taliban peace deal which has seen large cracks in the past week with the Taliban resuming attacks on government forces after President Ghani refused to free Taliban prisoners.
Under the US-Taliban agreement, US troops will quit Afghanistan within 14 months subject to the Taliban opening talks with the Kabul government and keeping the peace in the country.