LOC19:06
16:06 GMT
BRUSSELS, Nov 3 (KUNA) -- Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Fatou Bensouda decided Friday to request judicial authorization to commence an investigation into war crimes situation in Afghanistan.
The request has been assigned to a pre-trial chamber of the ICC following Bensouda's request to open an investigation into crimes alleged to have been committed in connection with the armed conflict in that State.
"My request for judicial authorization will focus solely upon war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed since 1 May 2003 on the territory of Afghanistan," she said in a statement.
It will also investigate war crimes closely linked to the situation in Afghanistan allegedly committed since 1 July 2002 on the territory of other States Parties to the Rome Statute, said Bensouda.
She added that should the Pre-Trial Chamber grant her request to open an investigation, "my Office and I count on the support and cooperation of the Government of Afghanistan, other States Parties and the international community as a whole to accomplish our objectives," she added.
The ICC is an international tribunal that has its seat in The Hague in the Netherlands.
The Court may exercise jurisdiction in a situation where genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes were committed on or after July 1, 2002 when the ICC was established. (end)
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