United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said on Thursday that Israel's recent deadly airstrikes in Gaza may constitute 'war crimes'.

Bachelet added that she hasn't seen any evidence that showed that the attacked buildings were used for military purposes. She was addressing a special session of the UN.

Bachelet voiced deep concern about the surge in deadly violence between Israelis and Palestinians.

"Although Israel undertook a number of precautions, such as advance warning of attacks in some cases, air strikes in such densely populated areas resulted in a high level of civilian fatalities and injuries, as well as the widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure," the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said.

"If found to be indiscriminate and disproportionate in their impact on civilians and civilian objects, such attacks may constitute war crimes."

Before a truce took hold last Friday, Israeli air strikes and artillery fire on Gaza killed 253 Palestinians, including 66 children, and wounded more than 1,900 people in 11 days of conflict, the health ministry in Gaza says.&nbsp;

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Rocket and other fire from Gaza claimed 12 lives in Israel, including one child and an Arab-Israeli teenager, medics say. Some 357 people in Israel were wounded.

Bachelet called on "Hamas and all armed groups to refrain from use of indiscriminate rockets and mortars, for which there must be accountability".&nbsp;

"There is no doubt that Israel has the right to defend its citizens and residents," she said. "However, Palestinians have rights too. The same rights."&nbsp;

The UN rights chief highlighted the scale of the destruction in Gaza.

"Although reportedly targeting members of armed groups and their military infrastructure, Israeli attacks resulted in extensive civilian deaths and injuries, as well as large-scale destruction and damage to civilian objects," she said.

Bachelet pointed out that governmental buildings, residential homes, international humanitarian organisations, medical facilities and media offices had been hit.&nbsp;

"Despite Israel's claims that many of these buildings were hosting armed groups or being used for military purposes, we have not seen evidence in this regard," she said.

United Nations' 47-member human rights council was debating a draft resolution to launch broad international investigation into violations surrounding the latest Gaza violence, but also of "systematic" abuses in the Palestinian territories and inside Israel.

(With inputs from agencies)

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said on Thursday that Israel's recent deadly airstrikes in Gaza may constitute 'war crimes'. Bachelet added that she hasn't seen any evidence that showed that the attacked buildings were used for military purposes.

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said on Thursday that Israel's recent deadly airstrikes in Gaza may constitute 'war crimes'. Bachelet added that she hasn't seen any evidence that showed that the attacked buildings were used for military purposes. She was addressing a special session of the UN. Bachelet voiced deep concern about the surge in deadly violence between Israelis and Palestinians. "Although Israel undertook a number of precautions, such as advance warning of attacks in some cases, air strikes in such densely populated areas resulted in a high level of civilian fatalities and injuries, as well as the widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure," the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said. "If found to be indiscriminate and disproportionate in their impact on civilians and civilian objects, such attacks may constitute war crimes." Before a truce took hold last Friday, Israeli air strikes and artillery fire on Gaza killed 253 Palestinians, including 66 children, and wounded more than 1,900 people in 11 days of conflict, the health ministry in Gaza says. Also Read | Ireland first European country to declare Israeli settlements 'annexation' Rocket and other fire from Gaza claimed 12 lives in Israel, including one child and an Arab-Israeli teenager, medics say. Some 357 people in Israel were wounded. Bachelet called on "Hamas and all armed groups to refrain from use of indiscriminate rockets and mortars, for which there must be accountability". "There is no doubt that Israel has the right to defend its citizens and residents," she said. "However, Palestinians have rights too. The same rights." The UN rights chief highlighted the scale of the destruction in Gaza. "Although reportedly targeting members of armed groups and their military infrastructure, Israeli attacks resulted in extensive civilian deaths and injuries, as well as large-scale destruction and damage to civilian objects," she said. Bachelet pointed out that governmental buildings, residential homes, international humanitarian organisations, medical facilities and media offices had been hit. "Despite Israel's claims that many of these buildings were hosting armed groups or being used for military purposes, we have not seen evidence in this regard," she said. United Nations' 47-member human rights council was debating a draft resolution to launch broad international investigation into violations surrounding the latest Gaza violence, but also of "systematic" abuses in the Palestinian territories and inside Israel. (With inputs from agencies)

Israeli attacks on Gaza may constitute war crimes: UN Human Rights chief

The&nbsp;Afghan&nbsp;foreign minister and prosecutors from the International Criminal Court have met in The Hague to discuss the ICC's war crimes investigation in&nbsp;Afghanistan, both sides said in a joint statement on Sunday.

The ICC is investigating alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in&nbsp;Afghanistan since 2003 by all sides in the conflict, including by government forces, the Taliban, other armed groups, and US-led forces.

Shortly after the ICC announced its investigation in March 2020, the&nbsp;Afghan&nbsp;government said it is conducting its own probe into some of the same alleged crimes and asked the international court to defer its investigation.

"We have made encouraging progress in charting the way forward to ensure that no crime goes unpunished," said&nbsp;Afghan&nbsp;Foreign Minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar in a joint statement with the ICC's Office of the Prosecutor.

Atmar met prosecutors in The Hague, Netherlands, where the ICC is based.

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Under ICC rules, the court only has the power to prosecute crimes committed on the territory of member states when they are unwilling or unable to do so themselves.

In the joint statement on Sunday, Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said she would continue to work with the government of&nbsp;Afghanistan on "how justice may best be served through joint collaborative efforts" while still fulfilling her own duties under the tribunal's rules.

Afghanistan's Attorney General Zabihullah Karimullah, who also attended, said that prosecutors had discussed information-sharing and cooperation.

Bensouda is still assessing&nbsp;Afghanistan's deferral request. In September 2020, the United States imposed sanctions on Bensouda for investigating whether American forces committed war crimes in&nbsp;Afghanistan.

Conflict is still raging in&nbsp;Afghanistan, with security forces locked in daily combat with the Taliban who have waged war to overthrow the foreign-backed government since they were ousted from power in Kabul in 2001.

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Although the United States did not meet the May 1 withdrawal deadline agreed in talks with the Taliban last year, its pull-out has begun, with President Joe Biden announcing all troops will be out by Sept. 11. Critics of the decision say the Islamist militants will try to return to power.

The Afghan foreign minister and prosecutors from the International Criminal Court have met in The Hague to discuss the ICC's war crimes investigation in Afghanistan, both sides said in a joint statement on Sunday.

The Afghan foreign minister and prosecutors from the International Criminal Court have met in The Hague to discuss the ICC's war crimes investigation in Afghanistan, both sides said in a joint statement on Sunday. The ICC is investigating alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Afghanistan since 2003 by all sides in the conflict, including by government forces, the Taliban, other armed groups, and US-led forces. Shortly after the ICC announced its investigation in March 2020, the Afghan government said it is conducting its own probe into some of the same alleged crimes and asked the international court to defer its investigation. "We have made encouraging progress in charting the way forward to ensure that no crime goes unpunished," said Afghan Foreign Minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar in a joint statement with the ICC's Office of the Prosecutor. Atmar met prosecutors in The Hague, Netherlands, where the ICC is based. Also read | Afghanistan: US sends reinforcements to exiting troops as Taliban captures second-biggest dam Under ICC rules, the court only has the power to prosecute crimes committed on the territory of member states when they are unwilling or unable to do so themselves. In the joint statement on Sunday, Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said she would continue to work with the government of Afghanistan on "how justice may best be served through joint collaborative efforts" while still fulfilling her own duties under the tribunal's rules. Afghanistan's Attorney General Zabihullah Karimullah, who also attended, said that prosecutors had discussed information-sharing and cooperation. Bensouda is still assessing Afghanistan's deferral request. In September 2020, the United States imposed sanctions on Bensouda for investigating whether American forces committed war crimes in Afghanistan. Conflict is still raging in Afghanistan, with security forces locked in daily combat with the Taliban who have waged war to overthrow the foreign-backed government since they were ousted from power in Kabul in 2001. Also read | Taliban carried out 141 attacks in 24 hours across Afghanistan, says report Although the United States did not meet the May 1 withdrawal deadline agreed in talks with the Taliban last year, its pull-out has begun, with President Joe Biden announcing all troops will be out by Sept. 11. Critics of the decision say the Islamist militants will try to return to power.

Afghan foreign minister meets ICC prosecutors to discuss war crimes investigation

The International Criminal Court will on Thursday sentence a child soldier turned Lord's Resistance Army commander for a litany of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Uganda.

Dominic Ongwen, 45, was found guilty in February of 61 charges including murders, rapes and sexual enslavement during a reign of terror in the early 2000s by the LRA, led by the fugitive Joseph Kony.

Prosecutors have asked for a 20-year prison term, saying Ongwen's own history as a schoolboy abducted by the LRA justifies a lower sentence than the maximum 30 years to life allowed by the ICC.

"This is one circumstance that sets this case apart from all the others tried at this court," ICC prosecution lawyer Colin Black told a sentencing hearing at the Hague-based court in April.

The defence is seeking a 10-year prison term for Ongwen, who went by the nom de guerre "White Ant" during attacks by his soldiers on refugee camps in northern Uganda.

Victims of his crimes have asked the court to impose the full life sentence.

Ongwen told the court that the LRA forced him to eat beans soaked with the blood of the first people he was made to kill as part of a brutal initiation following his own abduction aged nine.

"I am before this international court with so many charges, and yet I am the first victim of child abduction. What happened to me I do not even believe happened to Jesus Christ," Ongwen said.

'Gravity of the crimes'

The LRA was founded three decades ago by former Catholic altar boy and self-styled prophet Kony, who launched a bloody rebellion in northern Uganda against President Yoweri Museveni.

Its brutal campaign to set up a state based on the Bible's Ten Commandments left more than 100,000 people dead and 60,000 children abducted, eventually spreading to Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Central African Republic.

Judges said in their verdict in February that Ongwen personally ordered his soldiers to carry out massacres of more than 130 civilians at the Lukodi, Pajule, Odek, and Abok refugee camps between 2002 and 2005.

Civilians were locked in their homes and burned to death or beaten during the massacres, while mothers were made to transport the LRA's loot, forcing them to abandon their infant children by the roadside.

Ongwen was also the first person convicted by the ICC of the crime of forced pregnancy, for abducting and raping so-called "wives", some of whom were underage.

Prosecutor Black said that Ongwen's own history as a child soldier "does not in any way diminish the gravity of the crimes, nor does it diminish his criminal culpability".

"Nevertheless we consider them to be exceptional individual circumstances of a kind that warrant a significant reduction in sentence," he added.

Ongwen surrendered to US special forces who were hunting Kony in the Central African Republic in early 2015 and he was transferred to the ICC to face trial.

The International Criminal Court will on Thursday sentence a child soldier turned Lord's Resistance Army commander for a litany of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Uganda.

The International Criminal Court will on Thursday sentence a child soldier turned Lord's Resistance Army commander for a litany of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Uganda. Dominic Ongwen, 45, was found guilty in February of 61 charges including murders, rapes and sexual enslavement during a reign of terror in the early 2000s by the LRA, led by the fugitive Joseph Kony. Prosecutors have asked for a 20-year prison term, saying Ongwen's own history as a schoolboy abducted by the LRA justifies a lower sentence than the maximum 30 years to life allowed by the ICC. "This is one circumstance that sets this case apart from all the others tried at this court," ICC prosecution lawyer Colin Black told a sentencing hearing at the Hague-based court in April. The defence is seeking a 10-year prison term for Ongwen, who went by the nom de guerre "White Ant" during attacks by his soldiers on refugee camps in northern Uganda. Victims of his crimes have asked the court to impose the full life sentence. Ongwen told the court that the LRA forced him to eat beans soaked with the blood of the first people he was made to kill as part of a brutal initiation following his own abduction aged nine. "I am before this international court with so many charges, and yet I am the first victim of child abduction. What happened to me I do not even believe happened to Jesus Christ," Ongwen said. 'Gravity of the crimes' The LRA was founded three decades ago by former Catholic altar boy and self-styled prophet Kony, who launched a bloody rebellion in northern Uganda against President Yoweri Museveni. Its brutal campaign to set up a state based on the Bible's Ten Commandments left more than 100,000 people dead and 60,000 children abducted, eventually spreading to Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Central African Republic. Judges said in their verdict in February that Ongwen personally ordered his soldiers to carry out massacres of more than 130 civilians at the Lukodi, Pajule, Odek, and Abok refugee camps between 2002 and 2005. Civilians were locked in their homes and burned to death or beaten during the massacres, while mothers were made to transport the LRA's loot, forcing them to abandon their infant children by the roadside. Ongwen was also the first person convicted by the ICC of the crime of forced pregnancy, for abducting and raping so-called "wives", some of whom were underage. Prosecutor Black said that Ongwen's own history as a child soldier "does not in any way diminish the gravity of the crimes, nor does it diminish his criminal culpability". "Nevertheless we consider them to be exceptional individual circumstances of a kind that warrant a significant reduction in sentence," he added. Ongwen surrendered to US special forces who were hunting Kony in the Central African Republic in early 2015 and he was transferred to the ICC to face trial.

Lord's Resistance Army commander faces sentence for war crimes in Uganda

Israel on Thursday said it has formally decided not to cooperate with an International Criminal Court war crimes investigation into the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The ICC's chief prosecutor announced on March 3 that she had opened a full investigation into the situation in the Israeli-occupied territories, infuriating Israel, which not a member of The Hague-based court.

The ICC sent a deferral notice on March 9, giving Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) a month to inform judges whether they are investigating crimes similar to those being probed by the ICC.

Had Israel informed the court that it was carrying out its probe into alleged war crimes perpetrators, it could have asked for a deferral.

Ahead of the deadline, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office issued a statement saying the government had agreed "to not cooperate" with the ICC.

Israel would instead send a letter to the court "completely rejecting the claim that Israel commits war crimes", it said.

The letter would also "reiterate Israel's unequivocal position that The Hague tribunal has no authority to open an investigation against it".

"The state of Israel is committed to the rule of law... and expects the court to refrain from violating its sovereignty and authority," the statement reads.

'Hypocrisy'

The PA, based in the occupied West Bank, has been a state party to the ICC since 2015.

The Palestinians have welcomed the investigation and said they will not seek any deferral.

The world's only permanent war crimes tribunal, the ICC was set up in 2002 to try humanity's worst crimes where local courts are unwilling or unable to step in.

ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda has said her probe will cover the situation since 2014 in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem.

It will mainly focus on the 2014 Gaza war but also look at the deaths of Palestinian demonstrators from 2018 onwards.

After a five-year preliminary probe, Bensouda said there was a "reasonable basis" to believe crimes were committed by both sides -- by the Israeli military, Hamas Islamists who have controlled Gaza since 2007 and Palestinian armed groups.

Hamas has welcomed the ICC probe and argued that its attacks on Israel were justified acts of "resistance".

Netanyahu, a vocal critic of the ICC, on Thursday, accused the court of "hypocrisy" of targeting Israeli troops who "fight with high moral conduct against terrorists".

The long-serving premier has previously lambasted the decision to open the probe as the "essence of anti-Semitism" and declared Israel was "under attack".

Thursday's statement marked the first time that Netanyahu had made it clear Israel would not directly engage with the ICC.

The United States has also criticised the ICC investigation and voiced support for its ally Israel.

The ICC last week welcomed US President Joe Biden's lifting of sanctions imposed by Donald Trump on Bensouda, saying it signalled a new era of cooperation with Washington.

The Trump administration imposed financial sanctions and a visa ban on Bensouda last year after she launched an investigation into alleged war crimes by US military personnel in Afghanistan.

Israel on Thursday said it has formally decided not to cooperate with an International Criminal Court war crimes investigation into the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Israel on Thursday said it has formally decided not to cooperate with an International Criminal Court war crimes investigation into the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories. The ICC's chief prosecutor announced on March 3 that she had opened a full investigation into the situation in the Israeli-occupied territories, infuriating Israel, which not a member of The Hague-based court. The ICC sent a deferral notice on March 9, giving Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) a month to inform judges whether they are investigating crimes similar to those being probed by the ICC. Had Israel informed the court that it was carrying out its probe into alleged war crimes perpetrators, it could have asked for a deferral. Ahead of the deadline, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office issued a statement saying the government had agreed "to not cooperate" with the ICC. Israel would instead send a letter to the court "completely rejecting the claim that Israel commits war crimes", it said. The letter would also "reiterate Israel's unequivocal position that The Hague tribunal has no authority to open an investigation against it". "The state of Israel is committed to the rule of law... and expects the court to refrain from violating its sovereignty and authority," the statement reads. 'Hypocrisy' The PA, based in the occupied West Bank, has been a state party to the ICC since 2015. The Palestinians have welcomed the investigation and said they will not seek any deferral. The world's only permanent war crimes tribunal, the ICC was set up in 2002 to try humanity's worst crimes where local courts are unwilling or unable to step in. ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda has said her probe will cover the situation since 2014 in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem. It will mainly focus on the 2014 Gaza war but also look at the deaths of Palestinian demonstrators from 2018 onwards. After a five-year preliminary probe, Bensouda said there was a "reasonable basis" to believe crimes were committed by both sides -- by the Israeli military, Hamas Islamists who have controlled Gaza since 2007 and Palestinian armed groups. Hamas has welcomed the ICC probe and argued that its attacks on Israel were justified acts of "resistance". Netanyahu, a vocal critic of the ICC, on Thursday, accused the court of "hypocrisy" of targeting Israeli troops who "fight with high moral conduct against terrorists". The long-serving premier has previously lambasted the decision to open the probe as the "essence of anti-Semitism" and declared Israel was "under attack". Thursday's statement marked the first time that Netanyahu had made it clear Israel would not directly engage with the ICC. The United States has also criticised the ICC investigation and voiced support for its ally Israel. The ICC last week welcomed US President Joe Biden's lifting of sanctions imposed by Donald Trump on Bensouda, saying it signalled a new era of cooperation with Washington. The Trump administration imposed financial sanctions and a visa ban on Bensouda last year after she launched an investigation into alleged war crimes by US military personnel in Afghanistan.

Israel refuses to work with ICC on war crimes probe, says 'no authority'

Sri Lanka is claiming support from India at United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) but New Delhi has not made any official remark on the upcoming UN resolution against Columbo over war crimes committed during Sri Lankan civil war.

Sri Lanka claims support from India at UNHRC

Sri Lanka will conduct an investigation into allegations its troops committed war crimes during a conflict with Tamil separatists, it said Friday, a month before the UN Human Rights Council is due to discuss the island's rights record. 
 
At least 100,000 people were killed in the decades-long civil war, and there were allegations that 40,000 Tamil civilians were killed in the final onslaught. The government denies the toll. 
 
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who was defence chief when the rebels were crushed in 2009, named a commission of enquiry Friday to look into investigations held by previous governments. 
 
The panel was given six months to look into allegations of "human rights violations, serious violations of international humanitarian law," his office said. 
 
It would also be tasked with investigating previous "inconclusive investigations" instigated by Colombo following international pressure. 
 
"Sri Lanka has a long history of Commissions of Inquiry that have repeatedly failed to deliver justice and reconciliation for victims of human rights violations," rights watchdog Amnesty International tweeted following the announcement. 
 
The group urged the UNHRC to initiate a new process against Sri Lanka to ensure justice for victims of the war. 
 
A commission appointed by the government in 2011 found there were credible allegations against government forces and called for a war crime investigation. This has never been started. 
 
After coming to power, Rajapaksa announced that he would not follow a 2015 UNHRC resolution calling for accountability over alleged excesses by Sri Lankan troops at the climax of the 1972-2009 conflict. 
 
Rajapaksa threatened in May last year to withdraw from the UNHRC if the body pursued war crimes allegations against his troops. 
 
However, on Friday, his office said although Sri Lanka withdrew from the UNHRC resolution of 2015, it was ready to make "institutional reforms" to ensure justice and reconciliation.

Sri Lanka will conduct an investigation into allegations its troops committed war crimes during a conflict with Tamil separatists, it said Friday, a month before the UN Human Rights Council is due to discuss the island's rights record.

Sri Lanka will conduct an investigation into allegations its troops committed war crimes during a conflict with Tamil separatists, it said Friday, a month before the UN Human Rights Council is due to discuss the island's rights record. At least 100,000 people were killed in the decades-long civil war, and there were allegations that 40,000 Tamil civilians were killed in the final onslaught. The government denies the toll. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who was defence chief when the rebels were crushed in 2009, named a commission of enquiry Friday to look into investigations held by previous governments. The panel was given six months to look into allegations of "human rights violations, serious violations of international humanitarian law," his office said. It would also be tasked with investigating previous "inconclusive investigations" instigated by Colombo following international pressure. "Sri Lanka has a long history of Commissions of Inquiry that have repeatedly failed to deliver justice and reconciliation for victims of human rights violations," rights watchdog Amnesty International tweeted following the announcement. The group urged the UNHRC to initiate a new process against Sri Lanka to ensure justice for victims of the war. A commission appointed by the government in 2011 found there were credible allegations against government forces and called for a war crime investigation. This has never been started. After coming to power, Rajapaksa announced that he would not follow a 2015 UNHRC resolution calling for accountability over alleged excesses by Sri Lankan troops at the climax of the 1972-2009 conflict. Rajapaksa threatened in May last year to withdraw from the UNHRC if the body pursued war crimes allegations against his troops. However, on Friday, his office said although Sri Lanka withdrew from the UNHRC resolution of 2015, it was ready to make "institutional reforms" to ensure justice and reconciliation.

Sri Lanka to conduct investigation into war crime allegations

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Monday Canberra is seeking an apology from Beijing about a Tweet containing a false image of an Australian soldier holding the knife to the throat of an Afghan child. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-india-japan-and-australia-have-joined-hands-to-punish-china-325296">Also read: How India, Japan and Australia have joined hands to punish China</a>

The Chinese Government had posted a violent image of an Australian soldier holding a bloodied knife to the throat of an Afghan child, as relations between the two nations continue to spiral downwards. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eyeing-china-australia-accepts-indias-invitation-to-rejoin-quad-drill-naval-exercises-336547">Also read: Eyeing China, Australia accepts India's invitation to rejoin 'quad' drill naval exercises</a>

Morrison also demanded that the Chinese foreign ministry delete the fake tweet attacking the Australian Defence Force in the wake of a war crimes inquiry.

Amidst spiralling tensions between the two nations over trade issues, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian had tweeted a graphic image showing a grinning soldier holding a bloodied knife to the throat of a child holding a lamb.

"Shocked by the murder of Afghan civilians &amp; prisoners by Australian soldiers. We strongly condemn such acts, &amp; call for holding them accountable," Zhao tweeted along with the picture.

"Don't be afraid we are coming to bring you peace," reads the message on the image, referring to a report by Australia's military earlier this month which found "credible information" that some Australian soldiers were involved in the murders of 39 Afghan civilians and prisoners between 2009 and 2013.

The report recommends a total of 36 incidents be referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) for criminal investigation.

Morrison said the image tweeted by Zhao was "falsified", "truly offensive" and "repugnant".

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"The Chinese government should be totally ashamed of this post. It diminishes them in the world's eyes," he said.

The image, the prime minister said, is "deeply offensive to every Australian, every Australian who has served in that uniform, every Australian who serves in that uniform today, everyone who has pulled on that uniform and served with Australians overseas from whatever nation, that they have done that.

It is utterly outrageous and it cannot be justified on any basis whatsoever."

"It is an absolutely outrageous and disgusting slur. Australia is seeking an apology from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and we are seeking it be removed from Twitter," he said.

Morrison said Australia has reached out to the Chinese government and also contacted Twitter to have the post removed.

The prime minister said, "There are undoubtedly tensions that exist between China and Australia, but this is not how you deal with them."

"This impacts not just on the relationship here, but with so many other sovereign nations not only in our own region but like-minded countries around the world, who have expressed similar sentiments to Australia about many issues. And so it is important that these things end and the dialogue starts," he said.

Bilateral relations have rapidly deteriorated this year after Australia backed US-led calls for an investigation into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic, and ongoing discussion about Beijing's alleged interference in Australian affairs.

Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said there was no justification for the tweet, which was the most "egregious" example of social media disinformation she had witnessed in her career.

"The Australian Government has called in the Chinese ambassador and sought an apology from the ambassador in relation to this tweet.

We will (also) be conveying that message directly in Beijing through our ambassador," she said.

Last week, reacting to the war crimes inquiry report released by the Australian government, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao had said China "strongly condemned" the soldiers' actions and the report "fully exposed the hypocrisy of the human rights and freedom these Western countries are always chanting".

Amidst bilateral political tensions, China has initiated a series of actions, including imposing higher tariffs on about a dozen Australian imports including wine, barley and beef.

Australia has described China's actions as "economic coercion".

(With inputs from agencies)

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Monday Canberra is seeking an apology from Beijing about a Tweet containing a false image of an Australian soldier holding the knife to the throat of an Afghan child.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Monday Canberra is seeking an apology from Beijing about a Tweet containing a false image of an Australian soldier holding the knife to the throat of an Afghan child. Also read: How India, Japan and Australia have joined hands to punish China The Chinese Government had posted a violent image of an Australian soldier holding a bloodied knife to the throat of an Afghan child, as relations between the two nations continue to spiral downwards. Also read: Eyeing China, Australia accepts India's invitation to rejoin 'quad' drill naval exercises Morrison also demanded that the Chinese foreign ministry delete the fake tweet attacking the Australian Defence Force in the wake of a war crimes inquiry. Amidst spiralling tensions between the two nations over trade issues, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian had tweeted a graphic image showing a grinning soldier holding a bloodied knife to the throat of a child holding a lamb. "Shocked by the murder of Afghan civilians & prisoners by Australian soldiers. We strongly condemn such acts, & call for holding them accountable," Zhao tweeted along with the picture. "Don't be afraid we are coming to bring you peace," reads the message on the image, referring to a report by Australia's military earlier this month which found "credible information" that some Australian soldiers were involved in the murders of 39 Afghan civilians and prisoners between 2009 and 2013. The report recommends a total of 36 incidents be referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) for criminal investigation. Morrison said the image tweeted by Zhao was "falsified", "truly offensive" and "repugnant". × "The Chinese government should be totally ashamed of this post. It diminishes them in the world's eyes," he said. The image, the prime minister said, is "deeply offensive to every Australian, every Australian who has served in that uniform, every Australian who serves in that uniform today, everyone who has pulled on that uniform and served with Australians overseas from whatever nation, that they have done that. It is utterly outrageous and it cannot be justified on any basis whatsoever." "It is an absolutely outrageous and disgusting slur. Australia is seeking an apology from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and we are seeking it be removed from Twitter," he said. Morrison said Australia has reached out to the Chinese government and also contacted Twitter to have the post removed. The prime minister said, "There are undoubtedly tensions that exist between China and Australia, but this is not how you deal with them." "This impacts not just on the relationship here, but with so many other sovereign nations not only in our own region but like-minded countries around the world, who have expressed similar sentiments to Australia about many issues. And so it is important that these things end and the dialogue starts," he said. Bilateral relations have rapidly deteriorated this year after Australia backed US-led calls for an investigation into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic, and ongoing discussion about Beijing's alleged interference in Australian affairs. Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said there was no justification for the tweet, which was the most "egregious" example of social media disinformation she had witnessed in her career. "The Australian Government has called in the Chinese ambassador and sought an apology from the ambassador in relation to this tweet. We will (also) be conveying that message directly in Beijing through our ambassador," she said. Last week, reacting to the war crimes inquiry report released by the Australian government, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao had said China "strongly condemned" the soldiers' actions and the report "fully exposed the hypocrisy of the human rights and freedom these Western countries are always chanting". Amidst bilateral political tensions, China has initiated a series of actions, including imposing higher tariffs on about a dozen Australian imports including wine, barley and beef. Australia has described China's actions as "economic coercion". (With inputs from agencies)

Australia demands apology from China for ‘repugnant’ Afghan tweet

Azerbaijan is investigating the alleged war crimes committed by both Azerbaijan and Armenian forces during the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh region. Azerbaijan's prosecutor general confirmed this to AFP on Wednesday. Both countries have traded accusations of war crimes. The conflict overe Nagorno-Karabakh erupted in late September.

Videos circulated on social media during the fighting that allegedly showed executions of Armenian prisoners of war by Azerbaijani troops and Armenian soldiers defiling the bodies of Azerbaijani servicemen.

Azerbaijan's Prosecutor General Kamran Aliyev told AFP his office was studying the footage as part of a probe into inhumane treatment of Azerbaijani prisoners and the defilement of bodies of Azerbaijani troops.

"We have also initiated an investigation into inhumane treatment of Armenian servicemen that were taken prisoner," he said in an interview.

"There are many fake videos. But we must say frankly that there also are videos which could be authentic," he said. "Azerbaijan is a law-based state and we are reacting to such facts."

He said that Azerbaijan had also initiated 73 criminal cases of Armenian forces shelling civilian targets in Azerbaijan.

The attacks "claimed the lives of 94 civilians, including small children, women and elderly people," Aliyev said, adding that four Armenian separatist leaders -- including the president of the unrecognised Nagorno-Karabakh republic, Arayik Harutyunyan -- were charged with war crimes in absentia.

'Foreign mercenaries'

Aliyev told AFP his office as well as Azerbaijan's state security services are also investigating the use of foreign fighters by Armenian separatists.

Baku has claimed Armenians from the diaspora were deployed in Karabakh, while Yerevan has accused Turkey of sending mercenaries from northern Syria to fight alongside Azerbaijani forces -- a claim both Baku and its staunch ally Ankara have denied.

"The mercenaries were mostly ethnic Armenians from other countries," Aliyev said.

"Among those wanted are nationals of France, Georgia, residents of Crimea as well as fighters from the Syrian wing of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)," he added.

PKK, which is based in Turkish and Iraqi Kurdistan, has for decades waged a deadly insurgency in Turkey and is listed as a terror group by Ankara and its Western allies.

Aliyev said that a number of the criminal investigations "concern instances of Armenians targeting Azerbaijan's strategic infrastructure," including missiles launched towards Azerbaijan's Mingechavir hydropower plant and the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline that pumps Caspian Sea oil to Europe.

Nagorno-Karabakh declared independence from Azerbaijan nearly 30 years ago but has not been recognised internationally, even by Armenia.

The fighting that erupted on September 27 persisted despite efforts by France, Russia and the United States to broker ceasefires.

A Moscow-brokered peace deal was announced on November 10 after Azerbaijan's military overwhelmed Armenian separatist forces and threatened to advance on Karabakh's main city Stepanakert.

Under the agreement, Armenia is losing control of seven districts seized during the post-Soviet war in the 1990s, which killed 30,000 people and displaced many Azerbaijanis that used to live there.

(With AFP inputs)

Azerbaijan is investigating the alleged war crimes committed by both Azerbaijan and Armenian forces during the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh region. Azerbaijan's prosecutor general confirmed this to AFP on Wednesday.

Azerbaijan is investigating the alleged war crimes committed by both Azerbaijan and Armenian forces during the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh region. Azerbaijan's prosecutor general confirmed this to AFP on Wednesday. Both countries have traded accusations of war crimes. The conflict overe Nagorno-Karabakh erupted in late September. Videos circulated on social media during the fighting that allegedly showed executions of Armenian prisoners of war by Azerbaijani troops and Armenian soldiers defiling the bodies of Azerbaijani servicemen. Azerbaijan's Prosecutor General Kamran Aliyev told AFP his office was studying the footage as part of a probe into inhumane treatment of Azerbaijani prisoners and the defilement of bodies of Azerbaijani troops. "We have also initiated an investigation into inhumane treatment of Armenian servicemen that were taken prisoner," he said in an interview. "There are many fake videos. But we must say frankly that there also are videos which could be authentic," he said. "Azerbaijan is a law-based state and we are reacting to such facts." He said that Azerbaijan had also initiated 73 criminal cases of Armenian forces shelling civilian targets in Azerbaijan. The attacks "claimed the lives of 94 civilians, including small children, women and elderly people," Aliyev said, adding that four Armenian separatist leaders -- including the president of the unrecognised Nagorno-Karabakh republic, Arayik Harutyunyan -- were charged with war crimes in absentia. 'Foreign mercenaries' Aliyev told AFP his office as well as Azerbaijan's state security services are also investigating the use of foreign fighters by Armenian separatists. Baku has claimed Armenians from the diaspora were deployed in Karabakh, while Yerevan has accused Turkey of sending mercenaries from northern Syria to fight alongside Azerbaijani forces -- a claim both Baku and its staunch ally Ankara have denied. "The mercenaries were mostly ethnic Armenians from other countries," Aliyev said. "Among those wanted are nationals of France, Georgia, residents of Crimea as well as fighters from the Syrian wing of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)," he added. PKK, which is based in Turkish and Iraqi Kurdistan, has for decades waged a deadly insurgency in Turkey and is listed as a terror group by Ankara and its Western allies. Aliyev said that a number of the criminal investigations "concern instances of Armenians targeting Azerbaijan's strategic infrastructure," including missiles launched towards Azerbaijan's Mingechavir hydropower plant and the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline that pumps Caspian Sea oil to Europe. Nagorno-Karabakh declared independence from Azerbaijan nearly 30 years ago but has not been recognised internationally, even by Armenia. The fighting that erupted on September 27 persisted despite efforts by France, Russia and the United States to broker ceasefires. A Moscow-brokered peace deal was announced on November 10 after Azerbaijan's military overwhelmed Armenian separatist forces and threatened to advance on Karabakh's main city Stepanakert. Under the agreement, Armenia is losing control of seven districts seized during the post-Soviet war in the 1990s, which killed 30,000 people and displaced many Azerbaijanis that used to live there. (With AFP inputs)

Nagorno-Karabakh: Azerbaijan probes war crimes during the conflict

A planned White House summit between Belgrade and Pristina fell apart Thursday after Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti cancelled his trip to Washington, following the lead of President Hashim Thaci who scrapped the visit to face war crimes charges.

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Thaci pulled out of the trip Wednesday after special prosecutors in the Hague announced a slew of charges against the president for his role in Kosovo's 1998-99 war with Serbia, accusing him and other allies of involvement in nearly 100 murders.

That left Prime Minister Hoti to meet with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on his own at the White House talks set for June 27.

But writing on Facebook Thursday, Hoti said he too would need to cancel.

"I have to return to Pristina to deal with the situation," he said, referring to the charges filed against Thaci and others.

The indictment still needs approval from a pre-trial judge but prosecutors said they decided to make the accusations public because Thaci had made "repeated attempts" to obstruct the court's work.

The EU-backed tribunal was established in 2015 to investigate crimes committed by independence-seeking ethnic Albanian guerrillas during and after the war with Serbia.

Twenty years later, tensions still linger between the neighbours, with Serbia refusing to accept the independence Kosovo declared in 2008.

The talks in Washington, organised by US envoy Richard Grenell, were supposed to bring the two sides together for the first time in months. President Donald Trump had not been expected to personally attend the talks.

A planned White House summit between Belgrade and Pristina fell apart Thursday after Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti cancelled his trip to Washington, following the lead of President Hashim Thaci who scrapped the visit to face war crimes charges.

A planned White House summit between Belgrade and Pristina fell apart Thursday after Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti cancelled his trip to Washington, following the lead of President Hashim Thaci who scrapped the visit to face war crimes charges. Also read: Newborn Mexican triplets test COVID-19 positive, parents do not Thaci pulled out of the trip Wednesday after special prosecutors in the Hague announced a slew of charges against the president for his role in Kosovo's 1998-99 war with Serbia, accusing him and other allies of involvement in nearly 100 murders. That left Prime Minister Hoti to meet with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on his own at the White House talks set for June 27. But writing on Facebook Thursday, Hoti said he too would need to cancel. "I have to return to Pristina to deal with the situation," he said, referring to the charges filed against Thaci and others. The indictment still needs approval from a pre-trial judge but prosecutors said they decided to make the accusations public because Thaci had made "repeated attempts" to obstruct the court's work. The EU-backed tribunal was established in 2015 to investigate crimes committed by independence-seeking ethnic Albanian guerrillas during and after the war with Serbia. Twenty years later, tensions still linger between the neighbours, with Serbia refusing to accept the independence Kosovo declared in 2008. The talks in Washington, organised by US envoy Richard Grenell, were supposed to bring the two sides together for the first time in months. President Donald Trump had not been expected to personally attend the talks.

Kosovo PM cancels US trip after president faces war crimes indictment

The International Criminal Court(ICC)&nbsp;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&nbsp;war crimes and crimes against humanity in Afghanistan since 2003.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/war-crimes-judges-to-rule-on-international-criminal-court-probe-in-afghanistan-284409">War crimes judges to rule on International Criminal Court probe in Afghanistan</a>

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: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/us-taliban-peace-deal-what-does-it-mean-for-afghanistan-and-other-stakeholders-283743">US-Taliban peace deal: What does it mean for Afghanistan and other stakeholders</a> 
 
The ICC's view&nbsp;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.

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 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. Also read: War crimes judges to rule on International Criminal Court probe in Afghanistan 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.

Probe into Afghan war crime abuses must go ahead: International Criminal Court

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the International Criminal Court of anti-semitism on Sunday over its chief prosecutor's plan to pursue a war crimes probe in the Palestinian Territories.

The right-wing leader - Benjamin Netanyahu -&nbsp;is fighting for his political life in a March <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-heads-to-new-election-third-in-twelve-months-as-stalemate-continues-267768">election</a>, made the allegation against the international Criminal Court, with Judaism's holy Western Wall as a backdrop during a candle-lighting ceremony marking the start of the eight-day Hanukkah holiday.

"New edicts are being cast against the Jewish people - anti-semitic edicts by the International Criminal Court telling us that we, the Jews standing here next to this wall ... in this city, in this country, have no right to live here and that by doing so, we are committing a war crime," he said.

"Pure anti-semitism," Netanyahu said, raising an argument likely to strike a chord with many Israelis who believe that criticism, especially in Europe, of Israeli policies towards the Palestinians has its roots in anti-Jewish sentiment.

The Hague-based International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, said on Friday she would launch a full investigation into alleged war crimes in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip as soon as the court's jurisdiction had been established.

Israel captured those areas in the 1967 Middle East war and withdrew troops and settlers from the Gaza Strip in 2005.

Bensouda's announcement opens the possibility of charges being filed against Israelis or Palestinians. Israeli media, however, largely portrayed it as a bid to subject Israeli leaders and military officers to arrest and trial if they travel overseas.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/benjamin-netanyahu-will-resign-from-other-ministries-but-will-remain-pm-lawyers-267872">Netanyahu</a>'s accusations appeared to be centred on a scenario in which Israeli settlement activities in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, where the Western Wall stands within the walled Old City, could be viewed by the court as war crimes.

ICC prosecutors have said a preliminary investigation on the West Bank focused on "reported settlement-related activities engaged in by Israeli authorities".

The Palestinians and many countries consider the settlements to be illegal. Israel disputes this, citing security needs and biblical and historical connections to the land.

The Palestinians have welcomed Bensouda's decision.

Netanyahu said on Friday the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/icc-to-probe-alleged-war-crimes-in-palestinian-territories-269444">ICC</a> had no jurisdiction to investigate events in the Palestinian Territories, arguing it could only examine petitions submitted by a sovereign state.

The ICC has the authority to hear cases of war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity committed on the territory of the 123 countries that have signed up to it.

Israel has not joined the court but the Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited self-rule in the occupied West Bank, has done so. The Gaza Strip is run by the PA's rival, the Islamist Hamas group.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the International Criminal Court of anti-semitism on Sunday over its chief prosecutor's plan to pursue a war crimes probe in the Palestinian Territories.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the International Criminal Court of anti-semitism on Sunday over its chief prosecutor's plan to pursue a war crimes probe in the Palestinian Territories. The right-wing leader - Benjamin Netanyahu - is fighting for his political life in a March election, made the allegation against the international Criminal Court, with Judaism's holy Western Wall as a backdrop during a candle-lighting ceremony marking the start of the eight-day Hanukkah holiday. "New edicts are being cast against the Jewish people - anti-semitic edicts by the International Criminal Court telling us that we, the Jews standing here next to this wall ... in this city, in this country, have no right to live here and that by doing so, we are committing a war crime," he said. "Pure anti-semitism," Netanyahu said, raising an argument likely to strike a chord with many Israelis who believe that criticism, especially in Europe, of Israeli policies towards the Palestinians has its roots in anti-Jewish sentiment. The Hague-based International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, said on Friday she would launch a full investigation into alleged war crimes in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip as soon as the court's jurisdiction had been established. Israel captured those areas in the 1967 Middle East war and withdrew troops and settlers from the Gaza Strip in 2005. Bensouda's announcement opens the possibility of charges being filed against Israelis or Palestinians. Israeli media, however, largely portrayed it as a bid to subject Israeli leaders and military officers to arrest and trial if they travel overseas. Netanyahu's accusations appeared to be centred on a scenario in which Israeli settlement activities in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, where the Western Wall stands within the walled Old City, could be viewed by the court as war crimes. ICC prosecutors have said a preliminary investigation on the West Bank focused on "reported settlement-related activities engaged in by Israeli authorities". The Palestinians and many countries consider the settlements to be illegal. Israel disputes this, citing security needs and biblical and historical connections to the land. The Palestinians have welcomed Bensouda's decision. Netanyahu said on Friday the ICC had no jurisdiction to investigate events in the Palestinian Territories, arguing it could only examine petitions submitted by a sovereign state. The ICC has the authority to hear cases of war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity committed on the territory of the 123 countries that have signed up to it. Israel has not joined the court but the Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited self-rule in the occupied West Bank, has done so. The Gaza Strip is run by the PA's rival, the Islamist Hamas group.

Netanyahu accuses international court of anti-semitism in war crimes probe

The UK government and military covered up credible evidence of war crimes by British soldiers against civilians in Afghanistan and Iraq, according to an investigation by the BBC and the Sunday Times.

Leaks from two government-ordered inquiries into the conduct of troops in the conflicts implicated troops in the killing of children and torture of civilians, the investigation found.

The allegations include murders by a soldier from the elite SAS unit, as well as deaths in custody, beatings, torture and sexual abuse of detainees by members of the Black Watch infantry unit.

Military detectives who unearthed evidence of the alleged war crimes told the year-long investigation by the newspaper and the BBC's Panorama programme that seniors commanders hid it "for political reasons".

"The Ministry of Defence (MoD) had no intention of prosecuting any soldier of whatever rank he was unless it was absolutely necessary, and they couldn't wriggle their way out of it," an investigator told the BBC.

The MoD said the allegations were "untrue" and that the decisions of prosecutors and investigators were "independent" and involved "external oversight and legal advice".

The accusations emerged from two war crimes inquiries -- the Iraq Historic Allegations Team (IHAT) and Operation Northmoor, which dealt with Afghanistan -- which ended in 2017 without any prosecutions.

The government closed the probes after a solicitor, Phil Shiner, who had recorded hundreds of allegations, was struck off from practising law amid claims he had paid people in Iraq to find clients.

Amnesty International criticised the decision at the time and some former IHAT and Operation Northmoor investigators now allege Shiner's actions were used as an excuse to close down the inquiries as they found wrongdoing at high levels.

The Sunday Times reported military detectives discovered allegations of falsified documents that were "serious enough to merit prosecutions of senior officers".

It reported one of the SAS's most senior commanders was referred to prosecutors for attempting to pervert the course of justice before the inquiries were ended.

The newspaper said the revelations could result in a war crimes investigation at the International Criminal Court if Britain was deemed to have failed to hold its military to account.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told the BBC on Sunday that despite the lack of any prosecutions, it had "got the right balance" in ensuring "spurious claims" were not pursued.

The UK government and military covered up credible evidence of war crimes by British soldiers against civilians in Afghanistan and Iraq, according to an investigation by the BBC and the Sunday Times.

The UK government and military covered up credible evidence of war crimes by British soldiers against civilians in Afghanistan and Iraq, according to an investigation by the BBC and the Sunday Times. Leaks from two government-ordered inquiries into the conduct of troops in the conflicts implicated troops in the killing of children and torture of civilians, the investigation found. The allegations include murders by a soldier from the elite SAS unit, as well as deaths in custody, beatings, torture and sexual abuse of detainees by members of the Black Watch infantry unit. Military detectives who unearthed evidence of the alleged war crimes told the year-long investigation by the newspaper and the BBC's Panorama programme that seniors commanders hid it "for political reasons". "The Ministry of Defence (MoD) had no intention of prosecuting any soldier of whatever rank he was unless it was absolutely necessary, and they couldn't wriggle their way out of it," an investigator told the BBC. The MoD said the allegations were "untrue" and that the decisions of prosecutors and investigators were "independent" and involved "external oversight and legal advice". The accusations emerged from two war crimes inquiries -- the Iraq Historic Allegations Team (IHAT) and Operation Northmoor, which dealt with Afghanistan -- which ended in 2017 without any prosecutions. The government closed the probes after a solicitor, Phil Shiner, who had recorded hundreds of allegations, was struck off from practising law amid claims he had paid people in Iraq to find clients. Amnesty International criticised the decision at the time and some former IHAT and Operation Northmoor investigators now allege Shiner's actions were used as an excuse to close down the inquiries as they found wrongdoing at high levels. The Sunday Times reported military detectives discovered allegations of falsified documents that were "serious enough to merit prosecutions of senior officers". It reported one of the SAS's most senior commanders was referred to prosecutors for attempting to pervert the course of justice before the inquiries were ended. The newspaper said the revelations could result in a war crimes investigation at the International Criminal Court if Britain was deemed to have failed to hold its military to account. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told the BBC on Sunday that despite the lack of any prosecutions, it had "got the right balance" in ensuring "spurious claims" were not pursued.

UK government and military covered up war crimes in Afghanistan, Iraq: Report

Sri Lanka's front-running presidential candidate <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-removes-top-rajapakse-investigator-amid-crisis-178260">Gotabhaya Rajapakse</a> vowed Tuesday that if elected he will scrap Colombo's pledge to investigate war crimes committed during his brother Mahinda's decade in power.

Gotabhaya was defence secretary during his brother's rule, when troops were accused of killing up to 40,000 Tamil civilians while crushing the Tamil Tigers.

A later government co-sponsored a US-led resolution to appoint an independent panel to look into the actions of both sides in the final stages of Sri Lanka's bloody separatist conflict, although it was never formed.

But on Tuesday the 70-year-old Gotabhaya said he would not honour the commitments made to the UN Human Rights Council, saying people needed to "move on"

In response to questions by AFP about Sri Lanka's wartime human rights record, he said: "Why are you talking all the time on&nbsp;the past. Ask (about) the future.

"I am trying to become the president of the future Sri Lanka. So if you concentrate on the future, it is better."

He said even the Tamils were more interested in jobs, education and infrastructure than raking over the past.

The Rajapakses insist no civilians were killed by government forces in the latter stages of the war, and accuse the rebels of using tens of thousands of civilians as human shields.

At least 100,000 people were killed in the conflict between 1972 and 2009.&nbsp;

Mahinda Rajapakse's administration was on the verge of international sanctions because of its refusal to investigate the alleged war crimes when he was defeated at the January 2015 elections.

Gotabhaya Rajapakse was addressing the press Tuesday for the first time since launching his bid to become president in an election scheduled for November 16.

The presidential poll has attracted a record 35 candidates, with nearly 16 million people eligible to vote.

Sri Lanka's front-running presidential candidate Gotabhaya Rajapakse vowed Tuesday that if elected he will scrap Colombo's pledge to investigate war crimes committed during his brother Mahinda's decade in power.

Sri Lanka's front-running presidential candidate Gotabhaya Rajapakse vowed Tuesday that if elected he will scrap Colombo's pledge to investigate war crimes committed during his brother Mahinda's decade in power. Gotabhaya was defence secretary during his brother's rule, when troops were accused of killing up to 40,000 Tamil civilians while crushing the Tamil Tigers. A later government co-sponsored a US-led resolution to appoint an independent panel to look into the actions of both sides in the final stages of Sri Lanka's bloody separatist conflict, although it was never formed. But on Tuesday the 70-year-old Gotabhaya said he would not honour the commitments made to the UN Human Rights Council, saying people needed to "move on" In response to questions by AFP about Sri Lanka's wartime human rights record, he said: "Why are you talking all the time on the past. Ask (about) the future. "I am trying to become the president of the future Sri Lanka. So if you concentrate on the future, it is better." He said even the Tamils were more interested in jobs, education and infrastructure than raking over the past. The Rajapakses insist no civilians were killed by government forces in the latter stages of the war, and accuse the rebels of using tens of thousands of civilians as human shields. At least 100,000 people were killed in the conflict between 1972 and 2009. Mahinda Rajapakse's administration was on the verge of international sanctions because of its refusal to investigate the alleged war crimes when he was defeated at the January 2015 elections. Gotabhaya Rajapakse was addressing the press Tuesday for the first time since launching his bid to become president in an election scheduled for November 16. The presidential poll has attracted a record 35 candidates, with nearly 16 million people eligible to vote.

Rajapakse vows to scrap Sri Lanka war crimes probe if elected

A decorated US Navy SEAL was found not guilty Tuesday of murdering a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-threatens-to-arrest-international-criminal-court-judges-who-probe-war-crimes-165151">captive teenage militant</a> in Iraq, the most serious of the charges brought against him during a two-week war crimes trial in San Diego.

Edward Gallagher, 40, was likewise acquitted of two counts of attempted murder against Iraqi civilians but was convicted of posing for a photograph beside the corpse of the captive Islamic State (IS) group fighter.

The maximum sentence he could face is four months imprisonment, meaning he is set to walk free following Tuesday's verdict on account of the nine months he has already served in pre-trial confinement.

The jury found Gallagher "not guilty of murder, not guilty of stabbing, not guilty of shooting, not guilty of all those things, they found him guilty of taking a photograph," Timothy Parlatore, one of Gallagher's attorney's, told journalists outside the courthouse.

The prosecution's case was dealt a major blow when a witness said that it was he, not Gallagher, who had put an end to the captive IS militant's life.

Corey Scott, a first class petty officer, testified that while he had seen Gallagher stab the wounded fighter in the neck in May 2017, he had killed the boy afterwards.

He testified that he covered the victim's breathing tube with his thumb and then watched him die.

Scott said he did so to spare the boy -- who prosecutors say was about 15 years old -- from suffering or being tortured by Iraqi forces.

Scott, who was given immunity from prosecution, acknowledged during questioning that he made the revelation to spare Gallagher, who is married and has children, from going to prison.

Prosecutors argued Scott's version of events was a fabrication and that he was lying to protect Gallagher.

Divisive case

Gallagher's case proved divisive in the US, where he is viewed as a war hero by some.

His cause was championed by around 40 Republican members of Congress, as well as the right-wing Fox News channel.

President Donald Trump in May expressed concern over the prosecution of US soldiers accused of war crimes, with Gallagher reportedly among those he was considering granting pardons.

The charges against Gallagher stemmed from allegations by men under his own command in the US Navy's premier special operations forces.

They were among American troops deployed to Mosul, in northern Iraq, alongside Iraqi forces battling IS for control of the country's second city.

According to court documents, some members of the "Alpha" platoon were so horrified by Gallagher's behaviour that they tampered with his sniper rifle and fired warning shots to scare civilians away before he had time to open fire on them.

They told investigators that Gallagher, who began his career as a medic, would brag about the number of people he had killed.

One platoon mate said he saw Gallagher fatally stab the teenage IS militant. Gallagher then allegedly posed with the boy's body for photographs and texted the pictures to fellow SEALs.

"Good story behind this one," one text message read, according to prosecutors. "Got him with my hunting knife."

When some of the other SEALs expressed reservations over the killing, prosecutors said Gallagher's response was: "I thought everyone would be cool with it. Next time it happens, I'll do it somewhere where you can't see."

A decorated US Navy SEAL was found not guilty Tuesday of murdering a captive teenage militant in Iraq, the most serious of the charges brought against him during a two-week war crimes trial in San Diego.

A decorated US Navy SEAL was found not guilty Tuesday of murdering a captive teenage militant in Iraq, the most serious of the charges brought against him during a two-week war crimes trial in San Diego. Edward Gallagher, 40, was likewise acquitted of two counts of attempted murder against Iraqi civilians but was convicted of posing for a photograph beside the corpse of the captive Islamic State (IS) group fighter. The maximum sentence he could face is four months imprisonment, meaning he is set to walk free following Tuesday's verdict on account of the nine months he has already served in pre-trial confinement. The jury found Gallagher "not guilty of murder, not guilty of stabbing, not guilty of shooting, not guilty of all those things, they found him guilty of taking a photograph," Timothy Parlatore, one of Gallagher's attorney's, told journalists outside the courthouse. The prosecution's case was dealt a major blow when a witness said that it was he, not Gallagher, who had put an end to the captive IS militant's life. Corey Scott, a first class petty officer, testified that while he had seen Gallagher stab the wounded fighter in the neck in May 2017, he had killed the boy afterwards. He testified that he covered the victim's breathing tube with his thumb and then watched him die. Scott said he did so to spare the boy -- who prosecutors say was about 15 years old -- from suffering or being tortured by Iraqi forces. Scott, who was given immunity from prosecution, acknowledged during questioning that he made the revelation to spare Gallagher, who is married and has children, from going to prison. Prosecutors argued Scott's version of events was a fabrication and that he was lying to protect Gallagher. Divisive case Gallagher's case proved divisive in the US, where he is viewed as a war hero by some. His cause was championed by around 40 Republican members of Congress, as well as the right-wing Fox News channel. President Donald Trump in May expressed concern over the prosecution of US soldiers accused of war crimes, with Gallagher reportedly among those he was considering granting pardons. The charges against Gallagher stemmed from allegations by men under his own command in the US Navy's premier special operations forces. They were among American troops deployed to Mosul, in northern Iraq, alongside Iraqi forces battling IS for control of the country's second city. According to court documents, some members of the "Alpha" platoon were so horrified by Gallagher's behaviour that they tampered with his sniper rifle and fired warning shots to scare civilians away before he had time to open fire on them. They told investigators that Gallagher, who began his career as a medic, would brag about the number of people he had killed. One platoon mate said he saw Gallagher fatally stab the teenage IS militant. Gallagher then allegedly posed with the boy's body for photographs and texted the pictures to fellow SEALs. "Good story behind this one," one text message read, according to prosecutors. "Got him with my hunting knife." When some of the other SEALs expressed reservations over the killing, prosecutors said Gallagher's response was: "I thought everyone would be cool with it. Next time it happens, I'll do it somewhere where you can't see."

US Navy SEAL found not guilty of murder in war crimes trial

Myanmar security forces and insurgents are committing human rights violations against civilians in restive western states that may amount to fresh war crimes, a United Nations investigator said on Tuesday ( July 2).

A 2017 military crackdown drove more than 730,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee to Bangladesh. UN investigators have said that Myanmar's operation included mass killings, gang rapes and widespread arson and was executed with "genocidal intent".

The Yangon government denies committing those atrocities and says its military campaign across northern Rakhine was in response to attacks by Rohingya militants.

Government troops are currently fighting ethnic rebels in conflict-torn Rakhine and Chin states. The Arakan Army is an insurgent group that is fighting for greater autonomy for the two states.

Yanghee Lee, the UN independent expert on human rights in Myanmar, said last week the army may be committing gross human rights violations under cover of a mobile phone blackout in Rakhine and Chan.

Lee cited reports of civilians, mostly ethnic Rakhine men, being detained and interrogated by the Tatmadaw (army) for suspected links to the Arakan Army and said several had died in custody. In April, a military helicopter opened fire on Rohingya men and boys collecting bamboo, she said.

Myanmar's Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun said that the government had declared a ceasefire through August and was trying to bring about national reconciliation.

Tun said ''freedom of expression and media'' were among some of the most visible changes in Myanmar.

Myanmar security forces and insurgents are committing human rights violations against civilians in restive western states that may amount to fresh war crimes, a United Nations investigator said on Tuesday ( July 2).

Myanmar security forces and insurgents are committing human rights violations against civilians in restive western states that may amount to fresh war crimes, a United Nations investigator said on Tuesday ( July 2). A 2017 military crackdown drove more than 730,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee to Bangladesh. UN investigators have said that Myanmar's operation included mass killings, gang rapes and widespread arson and was executed with "genocidal intent". The Yangon government denies committing those atrocities and says its military campaign across northern Rakhine was in response to attacks by Rohingya militants. Government troops are currently fighting ethnic rebels in conflict-torn Rakhine and Chin states. The Arakan Army is an insurgent group that is fighting for greater autonomy for the two states. Yanghee Lee, the UN independent expert on human rights in Myanmar, said last week the army may be committing gross human rights violations under cover of a mobile phone blackout in Rakhine and Chan. Lee cited reports of civilians, mostly ethnic Rakhine men, being detained and interrogated by the Tatmadaw (army) for suspected links to the Arakan Army and said several had died in custody. In April, a military helicopter opened fire on Rohingya men and boys collecting bamboo, she said. Myanmar's Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun said that the government had declared a ceasefire through August and was trying to bring about national reconciliation. Tun said ''freedom of expression and media'' were among some of the most visible changes in Myanmar.

United Nations investigator reports possible fresh war crimes in Myanmar

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-soldiers-jailed-for-rohingya-killings-freed-after-less-than-a-year-221928">Myanmar's military</a> is guilty of committing new "war crimes", extrajudicial killings and torture in its fight against ethnic Rakhine rebels, Amnesty International said Wednesday.

The armed forces have deployed thousands of troops and heavy artillery across northern Rakhine state in recent months where Arakan Army (AA) rebels are fighting for more autonomy for the state's ethnic Rakhine Buddhists.

The state was also the scene of the military's bloody crackdown against the Rohingya Muslim community in 2017.

That campaign pushed some 740,000 Rohingya into Bangladesh in violence UN investigators say warrants prosecution of top generals for "genocide".

Amnesty said Wednesday it had "new evidence" that Myanmar's military is now "committing war crimes and other human rights violations" against the ethnic Rakhine, listing extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, torture and enforced disappearances.

Access to the conflict area is heavily restricted but details of civilian deaths have emerged over recent weeks and months.

But the army has confirmed it shot dead six detainees late last month in the village of Kyauk Tan.

Amnesty's report is based on scores of interviews with people from various ethnic groups, photographs, videos and satellite imagery.

It documents seven unlawful attacks that killed 14 civilians and injured dozens more, saying notorious infantry units have been deployed against the ethnic Rakhine.

Some Rohingya Muslims who have remained in the area have also been killed.

"The new operations in Rakhine State show an unrepentant, unreformed and unaccountable military terrorising civilians," said regional director Nicholas Bequelin.

A Myanmar army spokesman could not be immediately reached for comment on the report.

The rights group also criticised the government for choosing to "remain silent" while supplies of medicine, food and humanitarian relief remain blocked by authorities.&nbsp;

In an unprecedented move after the AA attacked police posts in January, Aung San Suu Kyi's government ordered the army to "crush" the rebels.

Although the military was the main perpetrator, AA insurgents have also "committed abuses against civilians", Amnesty said, alleging they have sent letters with bullets to local administrators and business people.

"I can firmly say it does not happen," AA spokesman Khine Thu Kha told AFP by phone, denying the claims.

Myanmar's military is guilty of committing new "war crimes", extrajudicial killings and torture in its fight against ethnic Rakhine rebels, Amnesty International said Wednesday.

Myanmar's military is guilty of committing new "war crimes", extrajudicial killings and torture in its fight against ethnic Rakhine rebels, Amnesty International said Wednesday. The armed forces have deployed thousands of troops and heavy artillery across northern Rakhine state in recent months where Arakan Army (AA) rebels are fighting for more autonomy for the state's ethnic Rakhine Buddhists. The state was also the scene of the military's bloody crackdown against the Rohingya Muslim community in 2017. That campaign pushed some 740,000 Rohingya into Bangladesh in violence UN investigators say warrants prosecution of top generals for "genocide". Amnesty said Wednesday it had "new evidence" that Myanmar's military is now "committing war crimes and other human rights violations" against the ethnic Rakhine, listing extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, torture and enforced disappearances. Access to the conflict area is heavily restricted but details of civilian deaths have emerged over recent weeks and months. But the army has confirmed it shot dead six detainees late last month in the village of Kyauk Tan. Amnesty's report is based on scores of interviews with people from various ethnic groups, photographs, videos and satellite imagery. It documents seven unlawful attacks that killed 14 civilians and injured dozens more, saying notorious infantry units have been deployed against the ethnic Rakhine. Some Rohingya Muslims who have remained in the area have also been killed. "The new operations in Rakhine State show an unrepentant, unreformed and unaccountable military terrorising civilians," said regional director Nicholas Bequelin. A Myanmar army spokesman could not be immediately reached for comment on the report. The rights group also criticised the government for choosing to "remain silent" while supplies of medicine, food and humanitarian relief remain blocked by authorities. In an unprecedented move after the AA attacked police posts in January, Aung San Suu Kyi's government ordered the army to "crush" the rebels. Although the military was the main perpetrator, AA insurgents have also "committed abuses against civilians", Amnesty said, alleging they have sent letters with bullets to local administrators and business people. "I can firmly say it does not happen," AA spokesman Khine Thu Kha told AFP by phone, denying the claims.

Amnesty accuses Myanmar military of fresh 'war crimes' in Rakhine

US President Donald Trump said on Friday he is considering pardons for "two or three" American soldiers charged with war crimes, a move he also said would be controversial but justified because they had been treated "unfairly."

Trump told reporters at the White House that he has not decided yet on the cases, but may wait until the accused military servicemen stand trial before deciding whether to grant them pardons.

"Some of these soldiers are people that have fought hard, long. You know, we teach them how to be great fighters, and then when they fight sometime, they get really treated very unfairly," Trump said.

He did not identify which cases he was reviewing.

The New York Times on May 18 reported Trump had asked the Justice Department for paperwork on several high-profile war crimes cases in preparation for possible pardons to be announced on or around the US Memorial Day holiday honouring fallen troops. This year's holiday is to be observed on May 27.

One request according to the Times report was for Special Operations Chief Edward Gallagher, a decorated US Navy SEAL court-martialed on charges he fatally stabbed a helpless, wounded Islamic State fighter in his custody, and shot two unarmed civilians from a sniper's perch during his 2017 deployment to Iraq.

The 39-year-old combat veteran and platoon leader has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Defence lawyers say the allegations against him were fabricated by subordinate SEAL team members disgruntled with his leadership style and seeking to force his ouster.

Gallagher's trial was delayed this week until June 10 at the earliest. His lawyer told Reuters he had not asked for a pardon, and Gallagher declined to comment on the possibility of presidential clemency when asked by reporters in court.

But the prospect of Trump offering Gallagher a pardon seemed heightened by this week's appointment to his defence team of former federal prosecutor Marc Mukasey, one of Trump's personal lawyers and an associate of fellow Trump attorney Rudolph Giuliani.

Another associate of former New York City Mayor Giuliani, ex-New York Police Commissioner Bernie Kerik - who served three years in prison in a federal corruption case - is an investigator on Gallagher's defence team.

Mukasey, in an interview with Reuters on Thursday, dismissed the notion of seeking a pardon for Gallagher.

"I have a job to do in the courtroom. I have no clue whether anything else is going on," he said.

Gallagher's lead civilian attorney, Timothy Parlatore, told reporters on Wednesday following a hearing at Naval Base San Diego: "If the president decides to step in, that's what the commander does."

Trump first weighed in on the Gallagher case publicly in March, ordering the defendant moved to less restrictive pre-trial confinement "in honour of his past service to our country."

A number of conservative commentators have urged him to pardon Gallagher. Critics say it would pre-empt justice, undermine military discipline and send a message that battlefield atrocities will be tolerated.

The overwhelming majority of pardons are granted to people who have already been convicted and served time for a federal offence, as when Trump earlier this month pardoned former Army Lieutenant Michael Behenna, who served five years in prison for killing an Iraqi prisoner in 2008.

But presidents have occasionally granted pardons preemptively to individuals accused of or suspected of a crime.

The most famous such case was the blanket pardon President Gerald Ford bestowed on his predecessor, Richard Nixon, following Nixon's resignation during the Watergate scandal.

US President Donald Trump said on Friday he is considering pardons for "two or three" American soldiers charged with war crimes, a move he also said would be controversial but justified because they had been treated "unfairly.

US President Donald Trump said on Friday he is considering pardons for "two or three" American soldiers charged with war crimes, a move he also said would be controversial but justified because they had been treated "unfairly." Trump told reporters at the White House that he has not decided yet on the cases, but may wait until the accused military servicemen stand trial before deciding whether to grant them pardons. "Some of these soldiers are people that have fought hard, long. You know, we teach them how to be great fighters, and then when they fight sometime, they get really treated very unfairly," Trump said. He did not identify which cases he was reviewing. The New York Times on May 18 reported Trump had asked the Justice Department for paperwork on several high-profile war crimes cases in preparation for possible pardons to be announced on or around the US Memorial Day holiday honouring fallen troops. This year's holiday is to be observed on May 27. One request according to the Times report was for Special Operations Chief Edward Gallagher, a decorated US Navy SEAL court-martialed on charges he fatally stabbed a helpless, wounded Islamic State fighter in his custody, and shot two unarmed civilians from a sniper's perch during his 2017 deployment to Iraq. The 39-year-old combat veteran and platoon leader has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Defence lawyers say the allegations against him were fabricated by subordinate SEAL team members disgruntled with his leadership style and seeking to force his ouster. Gallagher's trial was delayed this week until June 10 at the earliest. His lawyer told Reuters he had not asked for a pardon, and Gallagher declined to comment on the possibility of presidential clemency when asked by reporters in court. But the prospect of Trump offering Gallagher a pardon seemed heightened by this week's appointment to his defence team of former federal prosecutor Marc Mukasey, one of Trump's personal lawyers and an associate of fellow Trump attorney Rudolph Giuliani. Another associate of former New York City Mayor Giuliani, ex-New York Police Commissioner Bernie Kerik - who served three years in prison in a federal corruption case - is an investigator on Gallagher's defence team. Mukasey, in an interview with Reuters on Thursday, dismissed the notion of seeking a pardon for Gallagher. "I have a job to do in the courtroom. I have no clue whether anything else is going on," he said. Gallagher's lead civilian attorney, Timothy Parlatore, told reporters on Wednesday following a hearing at Naval Base San Diego: "If the president decides to step in, that's what the commander does." Trump first weighed in on the Gallagher case publicly in March, ordering the defendant moved to less restrictive pre-trial confinement "in honour of his past service to our country." A number of conservative commentators have urged him to pardon Gallagher. Critics say it would pre-empt justice, undermine military discipline and send a message that battlefield atrocities will be tolerated. The overwhelming majority of pardons are granted to people who have already been convicted and served time for a federal offence, as when Trump earlier this month pardoned former Army Lieutenant Michael Behenna, who served five years in prison for killing an Iraqi prisoner in 2008. But presidents have occasionally granted pardons preemptively to individuals accused of or suspected of a crime. The most famous such case was the blanket pardon President Gerald Ford bestowed on his predecessor, Richard Nixon, following Nixon's resignation during the Watergate scandal.

Trump says to consider pardons for some US soldiers accused of war crimes

Judges at the International Criminal Court Friday turned down a request to open a war crimes probe in Afghanistan, a week after Washington revoked the court's chief prosecutor's visa over the case.

"The judges decided that an investigation into the situation in Afghanistan at this stage would not serve the interests of justice," the Hague-based court said in a statement.

Fatou Bensouda's US visa was revoked over a possible probe involving American soldiers' actions since 2003 in the bloody Afghan conflict.

Bensouda in late 2017 asked judges to give her permission to probe alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Afghanistan committed by the Taliban, Afghan government forces and international forces including US troops.

The US has never joined the ICC and does not recognise its authority over American citizens, saying it poses a threat to national sovereignty.&nbsp;

Washington also argues that it has its own robust procedures in place to deal with US troops who engage in misconduct.

Judges said Friday that "notwithstanding the fact that all the relevant requirements are met as regards both jurisdiction and admissibility... the current circumstances in Afghanistan... make the prospect of a successful investigation and prosecution extremely limited."

The time elapsed since the opening of a preliminary probe in 2006, Afghanistan's changing political scene and the "lack of political cooperation the prosecutor has received" was likely to grow scarcer should an investigation proceed, the judges said.

The court, which operates on a limited budget, also needed to prioritise its resources on "activities that would have a better chance to succeed," the judges said.

Judges at the International Criminal Court Friday turned down a request to open a war crimes probe in Afghanistan, a week after Washington revoked the court's chief prosecutor's visa over the case.

Judges at the International Criminal Court Friday turned down a request to open a war crimes probe in Afghanistan, a week after Washington revoked the court's chief prosecutor's visa over the case. "The judges decided that an investigation into the situation in Afghanistan at this stage would not serve the interests of justice," the Hague-based court said in a statement. Fatou Bensouda's US visa was revoked over a possible probe involving American soldiers' actions since 2003 in the bloody Afghan conflict. Bensouda in late 2017 asked judges to give her permission to probe alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Afghanistan committed by the Taliban, Afghan government forces and international forces including US troops. The US has never joined the ICC and does not recognise its authority over American citizens, saying it poses a threat to national sovereignty. Washington also argues that it has its own robust procedures in place to deal with US troops who engage in misconduct. Judges said Friday that "notwithstanding the fact that all the relevant requirements are met as regards both jurisdiction and admissibility... the current circumstances in Afghanistan... make the prospect of a successful investigation and prosecution extremely limited." The time elapsed since the opening of a preliminary probe in 2006, Afghanistan's changing political scene and the "lack of political cooperation the prosecutor has received" was likely to grow scarcer should an investigation proceed, the judges said. The court, which operates on a limited budget, also needed to prioritise its resources on "activities that would have a better chance to succeed," the judges said.

ICC judges turn down request for Afghanistan war crimes probe

Sri Lanka's main minority Tamil party demanded Friday that foreign judges be included in a special court to investigate war crimes, a day after the UN again granted Colombo more time for a much-delayed probe.

Government troops have been accused of killing at least 40,000 ethnic Tamil civilians in the final months of the island nation's 37-year civil war in 2009. No one has been prosecuted for war crimes in the decade since.

With no measurable progress, the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Thursday gave Sri Lanka two more years to set up a credible investigation, the second time it has been given an extension.

The probe is meant to include a special "hybrid" court involving both local and foreign judges and prosecutors.

But on Wednesday in Geneva, Sri Lankan foreign minister Tilak Marapana said the country's constitution did not allow foreign judges.

This prompted uproar from Tamil National Alliance (TNA), with lawmaker Mathiaparanan Abraham Sumanthiran threatening on Friday to report Sri Lanka to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

"If the government does not agree to a hybrid court, Sri Lanka will have to face a tribunal which will be entirely international," Sumanthiran said in parliament.

He said Tamils, who were the most affected by the separatist war that claimed over 100,000 lives, will not accept an accountability mechanism that did not involve outsiders.

"The state of Sri Lanka cannot be an independent arbiter," he said.&nbsp;

Colombo's no-holds-barred military campaign wiped out the leadership of Tamil Tiger rebels and ended the war in May 2009.

UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet warned this week that Sri Lanka risked slipping back into conflict unless it addressed the "worst crimes" of the war.

She noted that Colombo was yet to set up the special judicial mechanism as promised four years ago.

Sri Lanka's main minority Tamil party demanded Friday that foreign judges be included in a special court to investigate war crimes, a day after the UN again granted Colombo more time for a much-delayed probe.

Sri Lanka's main minority Tamil party demanded Friday that foreign judges be included in a special court to investigate war crimes, a day after the UN again granted Colombo more time for a much-delayed probe. Government troops have been accused of killing at least 40,000 ethnic Tamil civilians in the final months of the island nation's 37-year civil war in 2009. No one has been prosecuted for war crimes in the decade since. With no measurable progress, the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Thursday gave Sri Lanka two more years to set up a credible investigation, the second time it has been given an extension. The probe is meant to include a special "hybrid" court involving both local and foreign judges and prosecutors. But on Wednesday in Geneva, Sri Lankan foreign minister Tilak Marapana said the country's constitution did not allow foreign judges. This prompted uproar from Tamil National Alliance (TNA), with lawmaker Mathiaparanan Abraham Sumanthiran threatening on Friday to report Sri Lanka to the International Criminal Court (ICC). "If the government does not agree to a hybrid court, Sri Lanka will have to face a tribunal which will be entirely international," Sumanthiran said in parliament. He said Tamils, who were the most affected by the separatist war that claimed over 100,000 lives, will not accept an accountability mechanism that did not involve outsiders. "The state of Sri Lanka cannot be an independent arbiter," he said. Colombo's no-holds-barred military campaign wiped out the leadership of Tamil Tiger rebels and ended the war in May 2009. UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet warned this week that Sri Lanka risked slipping back into conflict unless it addressed the "worst crimes" of the war. She noted that Colombo was yet to set up the special judicial mechanism as promised four years ago.

Sri Lankan Tamils demand foreign judges in war crimes probe

Former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic will spend the rest of his life in jail for the "sheer scale and systematic cruelty" of his crimes in the war that tore his country apart a quarter of a century ago, UN judges said on Wednesday.

Karadzic, 73, stood motionless and grim-faced in the dock as judges in The Hague said they had upheld his 2016 convictions for genocide in the Srebrenica massacre and war crimes in the 1990s.

In one of the last remaining cases from the break-up of Yugoslavia, they also increased his original 40-year sentence, saying it did not reflect his role in the worst bloodshed in Europe since World War II.

Judges at the original trial "underestimated the extreme gravity of Karadzic's responsibility for the most grave crimes committed during the period of conflict, noted for their sheer scale and systematic cruelty", head judge Vagn Joensen said.

The panel of appeals judges, therefore "imposes a sentence of life imprisonment", he said.

Relatives of the victims had called for a life sentence.

"If he is not given a life sentence, the tribunal will have committed genocide against justice," Munira Subasic of the Mothers of Srebrenica victims' association told reporters ahead of the verdict, where a small group of relatives held banners and photos of the dead outside the tribunal.

Karadzic, who has been in detention for 11 years, was "calm" ahead of the verdict, the Belgrade daily Vecernje Novosti quoted his brother Luka as saying.

The paper also published several cryptic "aphorisms" written by Radovan Karadzic including one which said: "A man who swallows his honour for breakfast may have something for dinner."

'Political trial'

A former psychiatrist and amateur poet turned brutal political leader, Karadzic was arrested in 2008 in Belgrade after nearly 13 years on the run during which he posed as a new age healer called Dragan Dabic.

In 2016, Karadzic was found guilty on 10 counts including orchestrating a nearly four-year siege of the Bosnian capital Sarajevo, where more than 10,000 people died in a campaign of sniping and shelling, according to prosecutors.

He was also found guilty of genocide in Srebrenica, where Bosnian Serb troops slaughtered more than 8,000 Muslim men and boys in eastern Bosnia, which was supposed to be under UN protection, and buried their bodies in mass graves.

Prosecutors said Karadzic and others including his military alter-ego, former Bosnian Serb army commander Ratko Mladic, wanted to "permanently remove Muslims and Croats" from territory claimed by Bosnian Serbs at the time.

Bespectacled and with his trademark mane of white hair swept back from his face, Karadzic said nothing as the verdict was read out, but shortly afterwards looked to the public gallery and gave a small smile.

Appeals judges repeatedly dismissed Karadzic's claims that he was not aware of orders by Bosnian Serb forces to eliminate Muslim men and boys in Srebrenica, and to indiscriminately target civilians in Sarajevo.

They rejected Karadzic's claims that he did not know a military directive he drafted and signed on the fate of Srebrenica called for Bosnian Serb forces to create an "unbearable situation with no hope of further survival" for inhabitants.

Karadzic's case still bitterly divides the country he helped drive to war, with widows of Srebrenica hoping he dies in prison even as Bosnian Serbs have honoured him with a university dorm in his name.

'Handful of bones'

Families of the victims of Srebrenica were watching the verdict at the Women of Srebrenica association building in the town of Tuzla.

Hajrija Oric, 63, who arrived at the Srebrenica memorial centre to watch the verdict showed AFP photos on her mobile phone of her son 17-year-old son Elvir and husband Sahin who were both killed in the massacre.&nbsp;

Their remains were found years later and buried.&nbsp;

"My hope.. is that (Karadzic) is sentenced to life," she said ahead of the verdict.

"All I found was a handful of bones and head. I would give everything, I would give my eyes if I could bring them back but it cannot happen."

The case also comes at a crucial time for international courts as they come under attack from quarters including the administration of US President Donald Trump, and reel from a series of mistrials.

Ex-military chief Mladic, 76, dubbed the "Butcher of Bosnia", is currently appealing a life sentence on similar charges.

Former Serbian president Slobodan Milosevic, Karadzic's long-time patron during the war, was on trial in The Hague until his death in 2006.

Former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic will spend the rest of his life in jail for the "sheer scale and systematic cruelty" of his crimes in the war that tore his country apart a quarter of a century ago, UN judges said on Wednesday.

Former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic will spend the rest of his life in jail for the "sheer scale and systematic cruelty" of his crimes in the war that tore his country apart a quarter of a century ago, UN judges said on Wednesday. Karadzic, 73, stood motionless and grim-faced in the dock as judges in The Hague said they had upheld his 2016 convictions for genocide in the Srebrenica massacre and war crimes in the 1990s. In one of the last remaining cases from the break-up of Yugoslavia, they also increased his original 40-year sentence, saying it did not reflect his role in the worst bloodshed in Europe since World War II. Judges at the original trial "underestimated the extreme gravity of Karadzic's responsibility for the most grave crimes committed during the period of conflict, noted for their sheer scale and systematic cruelty", head judge Vagn Joensen said. The panel of appeals judges, therefore "imposes a sentence of life imprisonment", he said. Relatives of the victims had called for a life sentence. "If he is not given a life sentence, the tribunal will have committed genocide against justice," Munira Subasic of the Mothers of Srebrenica victims' association told reporters ahead of the verdict, where a small group of relatives held banners and photos of the dead outside the tribunal. Karadzic, who has been in detention for 11 years, was "calm" ahead of the verdict, the Belgrade daily Vecernje Novosti quoted his brother Luka as saying. The paper also published several cryptic "aphorisms" written by Radovan Karadzic including one which said: "A man who swallows his honour for breakfast may have something for dinner." 'Political trial' A former psychiatrist and amateur poet turned brutal political leader, Karadzic was arrested in 2008 in Belgrade after nearly 13 years on the run during which he posed as a new age healer called Dragan Dabic. In 2016, Karadzic was found guilty on 10 counts including orchestrating a nearly four-year siege of the Bosnian capital Sarajevo, where more than 10,000 people died in a campaign of sniping and shelling, according to prosecutors. He was also found guilty of genocide in Srebrenica, where Bosnian Serb troops slaughtered more than 8,000 Muslim men and boys in eastern Bosnia, which was supposed to be under UN protection, and buried their bodies in mass graves. Prosecutors said Karadzic and others including his military alter-ego, former Bosnian Serb army commander Ratko Mladic, wanted to "permanently remove Muslims and Croats" from territory claimed by Bosnian Serbs at the time. Bespectacled and with his trademark mane of white hair swept back from his face, Karadzic said nothing as the verdict was read out, but shortly afterwards looked to the public gallery and gave a small smile. Appeals judges repeatedly dismissed Karadzic's claims that he was not aware of orders by Bosnian Serb forces to eliminate Muslim men and boys in Srebrenica, and to indiscriminately target civilians in Sarajevo. They rejected Karadzic's claims that he did not know a military directive he drafted and signed on the fate of Srebrenica called for Bosnian Serb forces to create an "unbearable situation with no hope of further survival" for inhabitants. Karadzic's case still bitterly divides the country he helped drive to war, with widows of Srebrenica hoping he dies in prison even as Bosnian Serbs have honoured him with a university dorm in his name. 'Handful of bones' Families of the victims of Srebrenica were watching the verdict at the Women of Srebrenica association building in the town of Tuzla. Hajrija Oric, 63, who arrived at the Srebrenica memorial centre to watch the verdict showed AFP photos on her mobile phone of her son 17-year-old son Elvir and husband Sahin who were both killed in the massacre. Their remains were found years later and buried. "My hope.. is that (Karadzic) is sentenced to life," she said ahead of the verdict. "All I found was a handful of bones and head. I would give everything, I would give my eyes if I could bring them back but it cannot happen." The case also comes at a crucial time for international courts as they come under attack from quarters including the administration of US President Donald Trump, and reel from a series of mistrials. Ex-military chief Mladic, 76, dubbed the "Butcher of Bosnia", is currently appealing a life sentence on similar charges. Former Serbian president Slobodan Milosevic, Karadzic's long-time patron during the war, was on trial in The Hague until his death in 2006.

Karadzic handed life sentence for Bosnia war crimes

Officials from the International Criminal Court are in Bangladesh as part of a preliminary examination of whether a prosecution over the alleged deportations of Rohingya could be mounted, a UN human rights investigator said on Monday.

"I am very hopeful. This is something that was unprecedented. It is a tiny step forward but I really do wish that this would open the floodgates (of justice)," said Yanghee Lee, the UN Special Rapporteur into human rights in Myanmar, adding that the ICC team were not interviewing victims.

Last September the ICC prosecutor opened a preliminary examination into whether alleged forced deportations of Rohingya from Myanmar could constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity. Bangladesh is a member of the court, although Myanmar is not and rejects its jurisdiction.

Officials from the International Criminal Court are in Bangladesh as part of a preliminary examination of whether a prosecution over the alleged deportations of Rohingya could be mounted, a UN human rights investigator said on Monday.

Officials from the International Criminal Court are in Bangladesh as part of a preliminary examination of whether a prosecution over the alleged deportations of Rohingya could be mounted, a UN human rights investigator said on Monday. "I am very hopeful. This is something that was unprecedented. It is a tiny step forward but I really do wish that this would open the floodgates (of justice)," said Yanghee Lee, the UN Special Rapporteur into human rights in Myanmar, adding that the ICC team were not interviewing victims. Last September the ICC prosecutor opened a preliminary examination into whether alleged forced deportations of Rohingya from Myanmar could constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity. Bangladesh is a member of the court, although Myanmar is not and rejects its jurisdiction.

International Criminal Court officials visit Bangladesh to look into Myanmar case: United Nations investigator

A Bangladeshi man was hanged in a jail outside Dhaka over the murder of a Saudi diplomat in 2012, an official said Monday.

Khalaf Al Ali, 45, who worked in the consular section of the Saudi Arabian embassy, was shot in the capital's diplomatic zone in front of his rented apartment. He later died in hospital.

Police at that time said 30-year-old Saiful Islam, who was hanged on Sunday, led the gang who tried to rob the diplomat.&nbsp;

"He was executed in accordance with a court order," prison official Shahjahan Ahmed told AFP.

The Supreme Court in August upheld Islam's death sentence. He was originally sentenced to death in 2013 by a trial court which described him as the main perpetrator of the killing.

More than two million Bangladeshis are working in Saudi Arabia, which is a key ally of the South Asian country and a major donor.

Bangladesh regularly executes death row convicts despite criticism from human rights groups.

In recent years at least five top Islamist leaders, who have been convicted of war crimes, and nearly a dozen Islamist extremists were executed -- all by hanging -- in high-security prisons.

A Bangladeshi man was hanged in a jail outside Dhaka over the murder of a Saudi diplomat in 2012, an official said Monday. Khalaf Al Ali, 45, who worked in the consular section of the Saudi Arabian embassy, was shot in the capital's diplomatic zone in front of his rented apartment.

A Bangladeshi man was hanged in a jail outside Dhaka over the murder of a Saudi diplomat in 2012, an official said Monday. Khalaf Al Ali, 45, who worked in the consular section of the Saudi Arabian embassy, was shot in the capital's diplomatic zone in front of his rented apartment. He later died in hospital. Police at that time said 30-year-old Saiful Islam, who was hanged on Sunday, led the gang who tried to rob the diplomat. "He was executed in accordance with a court order," prison official Shahjahan Ahmed told AFP. The Supreme Court in August upheld Islam's death sentence. He was originally sentenced to death in 2013 by a trial court which described him as the main perpetrator of the killing. More than two million Bangladeshis are working in Saudi Arabia, which is a key ally of the South Asian country and a major donor. Bangladesh regularly executes death row convicts despite criticism from human rights groups. In recent years at least five top Islamist leaders, who have been convicted of war crimes, and nearly a dozen Islamist extremists were executed -- all by hanging -- in high-security prisons.

Bangladeshi man hanged for Saudi diplomat's murder

Police have arrested two Syrian citizens in Germany on suspicion of crimes against humanity, including torturing prisoners, during their work for the intelligence service in Syria, federal prosecutors said on Wednesday.

Germany, Norway and Sweden are the only three European countries with universal jurisdiction over war crimes, meaning they can prosecute and try crimes committed abroad. More than 600,000 Syrians live in Germany.

The two suspects, identified as Anwar R., aged 56, and Eyad A., 42, were arrested by federal police in Berlin and Rhineland-Palatinate state.

A spokeswoman for the GBA Federal Prosecutor's Office said both suspects were part of the Syrian security service centre in Damascus and had left Syria in 2012.

As a high-ranking employee in the Syrian intelligence service, Anwar R. is strongly suspected of participating in crimes against humanity by torturing opposition activists between 2011 and 2012, prosecutors said in a statement.

"As head of the so-called investigative department, Anwar R. assigned and directed the operations in the prison, including the use of systematic and brutal torture," said the statement.

The other Syrian is suspected of helping to kill two people and torturing at least 2,000 people as an intelligence worker between July 2011 and January 2012, it said. He is suspected of working in the department Anwar A. was directing.

The two were arrested after French authorities detained another Syrian in France over similar accusations, said the prosecutors.

Efforts to prosecute members of the Assad government have repeatedly failed because Syria is not a signatory to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. Russia and China have also vetoed attempts to give the ICC a mandate to set up a special tribunal for Syria.

Police have arrested two Syrian citizens in Germany on suspicion of crimes against humanity, including torturing prisoners, during their work for the intelligence service in Syria, federal prosecutors said on Wednesday.

Police have arrested two Syrian citizens in Germany on suspicion of crimes against humanity, including torturing prisoners, during their work for the intelligence service in Syria, federal prosecutors said on Wednesday. Germany, Norway and Sweden are the only three European countries with universal jurisdiction over war crimes, meaning they can prosecute and try crimes committed abroad. More than 600,000 Syrians live in Germany. The two suspects, identified as Anwar R., aged 56, and Eyad A., 42, were arrested by federal police in Berlin and Rhineland-Palatinate state. A spokeswoman for the GBA Federal Prosecutor's Office said both suspects were part of the Syrian security service centre in Damascus and had left Syria in 2012. As a high-ranking employee in the Syrian intelligence service, Anwar R. is strongly suspected of participating in crimes against humanity by torturing opposition activists between 2011 and 2012, prosecutors said in a statement. "As head of the so-called investigative department, Anwar R. assigned and directed the operations in the prison, including the use of systematic and brutal torture," said the statement. The other Syrian is suspected of helping to kill two people and torturing at least 2,000 people as an intelligence worker between July 2011 and January 2012, it said. He is suspected of working in the department Anwar A. was directing. The two were arrested after French authorities detained another Syrian in France over similar accusations, said the prosecutors. Efforts to prosecute members of the Assad government have repeatedly failed because Syria is not a signatory to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. Russia and China have also vetoed attempts to give the ICC a mandate to set up a special tribunal for Syria.

Two Syrians arrested in Germany for suspected crimes against humanity

Nepal on Wednesday approved a third extension for commissions tasked with probing crimes committed during its decade-long civil war, promising changes to make the hamstrung bodies effective.

The commissions had initially been given two years in 2015 to probe abuses by government forces and Maoist rebels during the conflict that left 17,000 dead and others missing without a trace.

But even after four years and two extensions, their mandates were to expire on Saturday without resolving a single case.&nbsp;

A parliament meeting passed an amendment to the Transitional Justice Act that allowed a year's extension.

Law minister Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal said in his parliament address that the terms of the commissions had to be extended to avoid a legal vacuum.

"The government understands that lawmakers are concerned the issues may not be resolved with the &nbsp;existing structure, working approach and speed of the two commissions... we are committed to finding a permanent solution," he said.

More than 65,000 complaints have been filed to the two commissions -- one investigating an estimated 3,000 forced disappearances and the other focusing on crimes such as rape and murder.

Critics say the truth and reconciliation process has been poorly designed from the outset and stymied by a lack of funding and political will.

The government has not granted the commissioners the legal powers necessary to prosecute war crimes, while a provision granting amnesty to perpetrators is still on the books.

"It is certain that the main objective of establishing these commissions will not be met unless the laws, mechanism and process is improved according to international standards," rights organisations said in a joint statement Wednesday.

Last month, the United Nations cautioned Nepal that it risked failing war crimes victims unless there was a broad public trust in the process, in a statement jointly signed by the US, Britain, France and Germany, among other nations.

"No government has been able to give us justice, but we still have to hope for a mechanism we can trust," Bhagiram Chaudhary, president of Conflict Victims' Common Platform, told AFP.

The fighting ended in 2006 with a peace deal between Maoist insurgents and government forces. Many former rebels now fill the political ranks of Nepal's ruling party.

Just two convictions related to civil war-era crimes have been handed down in civilian courts, one linked to the murder of a teenage girl and the other concerning the killing of a journalist.

Nepal on Wednesday approved a third extension for commissions tasked with probing crimes committed during its decade-long civil war, promising changes to make the hamstrung bodies effective.

Nepal on Wednesday approved a third extension for commissions tasked with probing crimes committed during its decade-long civil war, promising changes to make the hamstrung bodies effective. The commissions had initially been given two years in 2015 to probe abuses by government forces and Maoist rebels during the conflict that left 17,000 dead and others missing without a trace. But even after four years and two extensions, their mandates were to expire on Saturday without resolving a single case. A parliament meeting passed an amendment to the Transitional Justice Act that allowed a year's extension. Law minister Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal said in his parliament address that the terms of the commissions had to be extended to avoid a legal vacuum. "The government understands that lawmakers are concerned the issues may not be resolved with the existing structure, working approach and speed of the two commissions... we are committed to finding a permanent solution," he said. More than 65,000 complaints have been filed to the two commissions -- one investigating an estimated 3,000 forced disappearances and the other focusing on crimes such as rape and murder. Critics say the truth and reconciliation process has been poorly designed from the outset and stymied by a lack of funding and political will. The government has not granted the commissioners the legal powers necessary to prosecute war crimes, while a provision granting amnesty to perpetrators is still on the books. "It is certain that the main objective of establishing these commissions will not be met unless the laws, mechanism and process is improved according to international standards," rights organisations said in a joint statement Wednesday. Last month, the United Nations cautioned Nepal that it risked failing war crimes victims unless there was a broad public trust in the process, in a statement jointly signed by the US, Britain, France and Germany, among other nations. "No government has been able to give us justice, but we still have to hope for a mechanism we can trust," Bhagiram Chaudhary, president of Conflict Victims' Common Platform, told AFP. The fighting ended in 2006 with a peace deal between Maoist insurgents and government forces. Many former rebels now fill the political ranks of Nepal's ruling party. Just two convictions related to civil war-era crimes have been handed down in civilian courts, one linked to the murder of a teenage girl and the other concerning the killing of a journalist.

Nepal extends deadline for war crimes investigations

Mladic was convicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia of crimes committed against Bosnian Muslims and Bosnian Croats in the former Yugoslavia during the 1990s. The tribunal declared that the crimes he committed were &ldquo;among the most heinous known to humankind&rdquo;.

Trials of former high-ranking war criminals are often peppered with drama, and this week&rsquo;s verdict announcement was no exception. Disruption of trials is a way for previously powerful people - usually men - to reclaim some of their lost power.

Halfway through the verdict summary announcement, Mladic requested a break. After a lengthy break, the court was informed that Mladic had high blood pressure, but on medical advice, deemed it appropriate to continue. At this point, Mladic refused to sit and began shouting at the judges: &ldquo;this is a lie&rdquo; and &ldquo;shame on you&rdquo;.

He was thrown out of court and watched the rest of the proceedings from another room. This, unfortunately, meant that victims were unable to see his reaction to the long-awaited verdict and sentencing.

Long road to justice

First indicted by the Tribunal in 1995, Mladic stayed in military resorts, protected even though a fugitive. He later went into hiding until his arrest in Serbia in 2011. Mladic&rsquo;s trial began in 2012, concluded in 2016, with the verdict delivered on November 22.

Mladic, who came to be known as the &ldquo;Butcher of Bosnia&rdquo;, rose through the ranks to become the commander of the Bosnian Serb army in 1992, participating in atrocities committed under Serbian leader Slobodan Milo&scaron;evic&rsquo;s regime. Milo&scaron;evic was also tried by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, but died before he could be convicted.

Mladic played a leadership role in these atrocities, commanding the army as it committed crimes across the regime. He has been convicted of &ldquo;Joint Criminal Enterprise&rdquo; &ndash; the international equivalent of conspiracy &ndash; alongside other leaders such as Milo&scaron;evic and Bosnian Serb politician Radovan Karad?ic. The tribunal found that Mladic was instrumental in the crimes and they would not have taken place without his involvement.

The atrocities included the siege of Sarajevo, which lasted for 44 months from 1992-95. Some 10,000 people died during the siege, including many children. Some of Mladic&rsquo;s other crimes were committed at internment camps such as Omarska and Foca, where thousands were tortured and raped. He has also been held responsible for the kidnapping of UN peacekeepers in order to leverage NATO to stop air strikes.

Convicting the high-ranking Mladic is symbolic and momentous, as he was the commander of the soldiers who carried out these actions.

Perhaps most significant is the conviction for genocide over mass killings at Srebrenica in July 1995. Some 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys were killed and buried in mass graves. Identification of remains is ongoing, with thousands of bones and personal belongings still being analysed in hope of a match for families that continue to seek the whereabouts of loved ones. Identification is hampered by the fact that two months after the killings, bodies were moved to alternative mass grave locations.

A welcome day for survivors

The many survivors have waited a long time justice, both for themselves and for their lost loved ones. Some victims travelled to The Hague to hear the verdict first hand.

It is particularly poignant, given that some of the war criminals convicted by the tribunal have already served their sentences and returned to Serbia and Bosnia, now living in communities with their victims. A life sentence for Mladic is a source of satisfaction to the victims; a minimum justice for their suffering and loss.

Legal consequences of this ruling are also substantial. Proving genocide in court is challenging for prosecutors, with the requirement of a &ldquo;special intent&rdquo; to eliminate part or whole of a specific population. Convictions for genocide are rare; only a handful of convicted perpetrators at the ICTY were found guilty of genocide, including Karad?ic and Radislav Krstic, a deputy commander in the Bosnian Serb army.

The confirmation that the Srebrenica massacre was indeed a genocide is important because many Bosnian Serbs continue to deny the fact. Victims hope the ruling will contribute to a broader acknowledgement, which in turn could help the reconciliation process.

Yet others have little hope that the ruling will change things. Srebrenica&rsquo;s Serb mayor Mladen Grujicic still denies the genocide, and many Serbian nationalists still laud Mladic and his fellow war criminals as heroes.

Mladic was found not guilty of one count of genocide, in reference to a broader spate of killings throughout Bosnia. This is in keeping with previous decisions, where Srebrenica has been deemed genocide, but the overall objective of the leadership for the whole of the Yugoslav territory has not.

This verdict is the final judgement to be delivered by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, slated to close at the end of this year. Since it was established in 1993, the tribunal has indicted 161 individuals and convicted 84 perpetrators of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.

Some 4,650 witnesses have appeared, more than 1,000 of whom testified about the Srebrenica genocide. There are only seven proceedings remaining, with the UN Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals finalising cases. The tribunal has undoubtedly contributed to justice and reconciliation in the former Yugoslavia.

However, success has not been absolute, with criticism that sentences have been too short. There is also an inevitable post-atrocity denial of crimes committed by perpetrators and their communities, with continued rejection by Serbian communities and politicians of the validity and decisions of the Tribunal.

These 84 convictions are clearly only a small proportion of the thousands of perpetrators. With the wind-up of the tribunal, remaining perpetrators will continue to be tried at local war crimes courts in Bosnia.

Throughout Europe, 14 countries have housed convicted tribunal war criminals in their prisons. Mladic will serve his sentence in a country yet to be determined.

While it may not bring their loved ones back, survivors can have some comfort in knowing the man who ordered and oversaw the atrocities will spend the rest of his life in prison.

This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" rel="nofollow" target="blank">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/ratko-mladic-the-butcher-of-bosnia-to-spend-life-in-prison-for-genocide-and-war-crimes-87927" rel="nofollow" target="blank">original article</a>.

(Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

Survivors can have some comfort in knowing the man who ordered and oversaw the atrocities will spend the rest of his life in prison

Mladic was convicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia of crimes committed against Bosnian Muslims and Bosnian Croats in the former Yugoslavia during the 1990s. The tribunal declared that the crimes he committed were “among the most heinous known to humankind”. Trials of former high-ranking war criminals are often peppered with drama, and this week’s verdict announcement was no exception. Disruption of trials is a way for previously powerful people - usually men - to reclaim some of their lost power. Halfway through the verdict summary announcement, Mladic requested a break. After a lengthy break, the court was informed that Mladic had high blood pressure, but on medical advice, deemed it appropriate to continue. At this point, Mladic refused to sit and began shouting at the judges: “this is a lie” and “shame on you”. He was thrown out of court and watched the rest of the proceedings from another room. This, unfortunately, meant that victims were unable to see his reaction to the long-awaited verdict and sentencing. Long road to justice First indicted by the Tribunal in 1995, Mladic stayed in military resorts, protected even though a fugitive. He later went into hiding until his arrest in Serbia in 2011. Mladic’s trial began in 2012, concluded in 2016, with the verdict delivered on November 22. Mladic, who came to be known as the “Butcher of Bosnia”, rose through the ranks to become the commander of the Bosnian Serb army in 1992, participating in atrocities committed under Serbian leader Slobodan Miloševic’s regime. Miloševic was also tried by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, but died before he could be convicted. Mladic played a leadership role in these atrocities, commanding the army as it committed crimes across the regime. He has been convicted of “Joint Criminal Enterprise” – the international equivalent of conspiracy – alongside other leaders such as Miloševic and Bosnian Serb politician Radovan Karad?ic. The tribunal found that Mladic was instrumental in the crimes and they would not have taken place without his involvement. The atrocities included the siege of Sarajevo, which lasted for 44 months from 1992-95. Some 10,000 people died during the siege, including many children. Some of Mladic’s other crimes were committed at internment camps such as Omarska and Foca, where thousands were tortured and raped. He has also been held responsible for the kidnapping of UN peacekeepers in order to leverage NATO to stop air strikes. Convicting the high-ranking Mladic is symbolic and momentous, as he was the commander of the soldiers who carried out these actions. Perhaps most significant is the conviction for genocide over mass killings at Srebrenica in July 1995. Some 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys were killed and buried in mass graves. Identification of remains is ongoing, with thousands of bones and personal belongings still being analysed in hope of a match for families that continue to seek the whereabouts of loved ones. Identification is hampered by the fact that two months after the killings, bodies were moved to alternative mass grave locations. A welcome day for survivors The many survivors have waited a long time justice, both for themselves and for their lost loved ones. Some victims travelled to The Hague to hear the verdict first hand. It is particularly poignant, given that some of the war criminals convicted by the tribunal have already served their sentences and returned to Serbia and Bosnia, now living in communities with their victims. A life sentence for Mladic is a source of satisfaction to the victims; a minimum justice for their suffering and loss. Legal consequences of this ruling are also substantial. Proving genocide in court is challenging for prosecutors, with the requirement of a “special intent” to eliminate part or whole of a specific population. Convictions for genocide are rare; only a handful of convicted perpetrators at the ICTY were found guilty of genocide, including Karad?ic and Radislav Krstic, a deputy commander in the Bosnian Serb army. The confirmation that the Srebrenica massacre was indeed a genocide is important because many Bosnian Serbs continue to deny the fact. Victims hope the ruling will contribute to a broader acknowledgement, which in turn could help the reconciliation process. Yet others have little hope that the ruling will change things. Srebrenica’s Serb mayor Mladen Grujicic still denies the genocide, and many Serbian nationalists still laud Mladic and his fellow war criminals as heroes. Mladic was found not guilty of one count of genocide, in reference to a broader spate of killings throughout Bosnia. This is in keeping with previous decisions, where Srebrenica has been deemed genocide, but the overall objective of the leadership for the whole of the Yugoslav territory has not. This verdict is the final judgement to be delivered by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, slated to close at the end of this year. Since it was established in 1993, the tribunal has indicted 161 individuals and convicted 84 perpetrators of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. Some 4,650 witnesses have appeared, more than 1,000 of whom testified about the Srebrenica genocide. There are only seven proceedings remaining, with the UN Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals finalising cases. The tribunal has undoubtedly contributed to justice and reconciliation in the former Yugoslavia. However, success has not been absolute, with criticism that sentences have been too short. There is also an inevitable post-atrocity denial of crimes committed by perpetrators and their communities, with continued rejection by Serbian communities and politicians of the validity and decisions of the Tribunal. These 84 convictions are clearly only a small proportion of the thousands of perpetrators. With the wind-up of the tribunal, remaining perpetrators will continue to be tried at local war crimes courts in Bosnia. Throughout Europe, 14 countries have housed convicted tribunal war criminals in their prisons. Mladic will serve his sentence in a country yet to be determined. While it may not bring their loved ones back, survivors can have some comfort in knowing the man who ordered and oversaw the atrocities will spend the rest of his life in prison. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. (Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

Opinion: Ratko Mladic, the 'Butcher of Bosnia', to spend life in prison

Sri Lanka should bring in international prosecutors and judges to help investigate alleged atrocities in the civil war that ended in 2009, a task force said on Thursday in recommendations that were welcomed by the United Nations.

The Consultation Task Force (CTF), appointed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, said foreign involvement was needed because of a lack of confidence in the local judiciary, which it said did not have the expertise and capacity to prosecute war crimes.

However, President Maithripala Sirisena opposes the involvement of foreign judges, and cabinet spokesman Rajitha Senarathne said on Wednesday the government had clearly told the UN&nbsp;that it would not allow them.

The war crimes issue is highly divisive, seven years after the end of the 26-year conflict between government forces and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The UN&nbsp;and rights groups have accused the military of killing thousands of civilians, mostly Tamils, during its final weeks.

The office of UN&nbsp;human rights chief Zeid Ra&#39;ad Al Hussein said on Twitter that he welcomed the CTF&#39;&nbsp;recommendations, especially its &quot;clear backing of a hybrid court&quot; with local and foreign judges.

The opposition led by Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was president when the government finally defeated the LTTE, has held out against foreign judicial involvement and said his successor is betraying the military for a &quot;Western agenda&quot;.

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA), which is the main political party representing Tamils and backed Sirisena in the 2015 presidential election, has demanded foreign judges be brought in, as most similar investigations in the past have failed to prosecute wrongdoers.&nbsp;

The Tamil Tigers were also accused of widespread abuses during the war, such as using child soldiers and targeting civilians with suicide bombers, including an attack on the central bank in 1996 which killed nearly 100 people.

The UN&nbsp;launched a probe in 2014 into war crimes allegedly committed by both Sri Lankan state forces and Tamil rebels, saying the government had failed to investigate properly.

But&nbsp;Rajapaksa&#39;s government resisted the probe and denied UN&nbsp;officials entry to the island nation.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(Reuters)

Team appointed by PM?Wickremesinghe suggests foreign involvement to probe war crimes in the civil war that ended in 2009, President opposes

Sri Lanka should bring in international prosecutors and judges to help investigate alleged atrocities in the civil war that ended in 2009, a task force said on Thursday in recommendations that were welcomed by the United Nations. The Consultation Task Force (CTF), appointed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, said foreign involvement was needed because of a lack of confidence in the local judiciary, which it said did not have the expertise and capacity to prosecute war crimes. However, President Maithripala Sirisena opposes the involvement of foreign judges, and cabinet spokesman Rajitha Senarathne said on Wednesday the government had clearly told the UN that it would not allow them. The war crimes issue is highly divisive, seven years after the end of the 26-year conflict between government forces and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The UN and rights groups have accused the military of killing thousands of civilians, mostly Tamils, during its final weeks. The office of UN human rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said on Twitter that he welcomed the CTF' recommendations, especially its "clear backing of a hybrid court" with local and foreign judges. The opposition led by Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was president when the government finally defeated the LTTE, has held out against foreign judicial involvement and said his successor is betraying the military for a "Western agenda". The Tamil National Alliance (TNA), which is the main political party representing Tamils and backed Sirisena in the 2015 presidential election, has demanded foreign judges be brought in, as most similar investigations in the past have failed to prosecute wrongdoers. The Tamil Tigers were also accused of widespread abuses during the war, such as using child soldiers and targeting civilians with suicide bombers, including an attack on the central bank in 1996 which killed nearly 100 people. The UN launched a probe in 2014 into war crimes allegedly committed by both Sri Lankan state forces and Tamil rebels, saying the government had failed to investigate properly. But Rajapaksa's government resisted the probe and denied UN officials entry to the island nation. (Reuters)

Divide in Sri Lanka as panel backs foreign judges to probe war crimes

Kosovo&#39;s former prime minister Ramush Haradinaj was arrested by the French police on an arrest warrant by Serbia, Reuters reported.

Kosovo&#39;s government has criticised the move and is trying to resolve the issue.

Ramush Haradinaj is now an opposition leader.

Serbia considers Haradinaj a war criminal for leading a guerrila movement in its southern province of Kosovo.

Kosovo declared independence in 2008.

(WION with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Kosovo's government has said it is trying to resolve the issue

Kosovo's former prime minister Ramush Haradinaj was arrested by the French police on an arrest warrant by Serbia, Reuters reported. Kosovo's government has criticised the move and is trying to resolve the issue. Ramush Haradinaj is now an opposition leader. Serbia considers Haradinaj a war criminal for leading a guerrila movement in its southern province of Kosovo. Kosovo declared independence in 2008. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Former Kosovo Prime Minister arrested in France

An amnesty law protecting thousands of FARC fighters from prosecution was approved by the Colombian Congress on Wednesday.

The law gives protection to the guerrilla fighters from prosecution for minor crimes committed dring the country&#39;s five-decade war. A peace deal was signed between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels last month to bring an end to 52 years of war.

War crimes or human rights violations will not be included for protection under the amnesty law. Rebels found guilty of crimes like massacres or sexual violence will serve alternative sentences such as land mine removal, to be determined by a special court, according to news agency Reuters.

The amnesty also applies to members of the country&#39;s military.

The senate and the lower house passed the bill despite opposition. The right-wing Democratic Center party abstained from voting.

In a joint statement on Wednesday, the FARC and the government said they would establish how many rebels are not eligible for the amnesty by Jan. 30 at the latest, Reuters reported. Other laws tied to the peace deal include rural reform, compensation to victims, removal of land mines and a United Nations-monitored ceasefire.

The peace accord was rejected by the Colombian public in an October 2 referendum because they felt the deal absolved&nbsp;the FARC rebels of all crimes they have committed in the last half a century. A revised deal was signed in November.

About 7,000 FARC fighters are expected to surrender over the next six months.

President Santos won the Nobel Peace Prize last month for his efforts to broker a peace deal with FARC

(With inputs from Reuters)

It will not include fighters guilty of war crimes or human rights violations

An amnesty law protecting thousands of FARC fighters from prosecution was approved by the Colombian Congress on Wednesday. The law gives protection to the guerrilla fighters from prosecution for minor crimes committed dring the country's five-decade war. A peace deal was signed between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels last month to bring an end to 52 years of war. War crimes or human rights violations will not be included for protection under the amnesty law. Rebels found guilty of crimes like massacres or sexual violence will serve alternative sentences such as land mine removal, to be determined by a special court, according to news agency Reuters. The amnesty also applies to members of the country's military. The senate and the lower house passed the bill despite opposition. The right-wing Democratic Center party abstained from voting. In a joint statement on Wednesday, the FARC and the government said they would establish how many rebels are not eligible for the amnesty by Jan. 30 at the latest, Reuters reported. Other laws tied to the peace deal include rural reform, compensation to victims, removal of land mines and a United Nations-monitored ceasefire. The peace accord was rejected by the Colombian public in an October 2 referendum because they felt the deal absolved the FARC rebels of all crimes they have committed in the last half a century. A revised deal was signed in November. About 7,000 FARC fighters are expected to surrender over the next six months. President Santos won the Nobel Peace Prize last month for his efforts to broker a peace deal with FARC (With inputs from Reuters)

Colombia Congress approves amnesty law for FARC rebels

India&#39;s foreign minister Sushma Swaraj will undergo kidney transplant at New Delhi&#39;s All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Saturday.&nbsp;

Swaraj, who suffers from diabetes was admitted to AIIMS for kidney failure on November 7.&nbsp;

She has been on dialysis for weeks and tweeted about her condition from the hospital.&nbsp;

The minister, who is known for her quick response on Twitter is still reaching out to the public and trying to help.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Geeta - You have been issued Visa for Australia. <a href="https://t.co/kB3biWWCNu">https://t.co/kB3biWWCNu</a>
&mdash; Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/805655861280411648">December 5, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

AIIMS recieved numerous offers to donate a kidney to Swaraj.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Some friends have also offered their kidneys for my transplant. I have no words to express my deep sense of gratitude towards them.
&mdash; Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/799210118382370816">November 17, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

(WION with inputs from ANI)

The vote to establish an evidence-gathering body won 105-15, with countries like China, Russia and Iran opposed to the measure

India's foreign minister Sushma Swaraj will undergo kidney transplant at New Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Saturday. Swaraj, who suffers from diabetes was admitted to AIIMS for kidney failure on November 7. She has been on dialysis for weeks and tweeted about her condition from the hospital. The minister, who is known for her quick response on Twitter is still reaching out to the public and trying to help. Geeta - You have been issued Visa for Australia. https://t.co/kB3biWWCNu — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) December 5, 2016 × AIIMS recieved numerous offers to donate a kidney to Swaraj. Some friends have also offered their kidneys for my transplant. I have no words to express my deep sense of gratitude towards them. — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) November 17, 2016 × (WION with inputs from ANI)

UN to set up Syria war crimes panel

France is seeking an international war crimes investigation against Syrian and Russian forces in eastern Aleppo and is working to ask the International Criminal Court&rsquo;s prosecutor to launch the investigation.

&quot;These bombings - and I said it in Moscow - are war crimes,&quot; the country&rsquo;s foreign minister Jean-Marc Ayrault told France Inter radio after a French-drafted resolution on Syria was vetoed by Russia in a UN security council meeting on Saturday.

&quot;We shall contact the International Criminal Court prosecutor to see how she can launch these investigations.&quot; he added.

Ever since the collapse of a US-Russia brokered ceasefire deal in September, Russian and Syrian forces have pounded Aleppo&rsquo;s rebel-held sectors in their biggest offensive.

US secretary of state John Kerry had also called for a war crimes investigation last week.

It is,however, unclear how the ICC proceeds with an investigation because Syria is not its member and so the court has no jurisdiction in the west Asian country.

The only way for the case to make it to ICC is through a referral from the UN security council. Moscow vetoed a French resolution in May 2014 to refer the situation in Syria to the ICC.

&quot;It is very dangerous to play with such words because war crimes also weigh on the shoulders of American officials,&quot; said Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, according to RIA news agency.

A French diplomatic source told Reuters that Paris had begun to comb through the ICC&rsquo;s articles to see what could be done. &nbsp;

&quot;It will be complicated, but we are looking for other solutions. Our jurists are trying to find other ways,&quot; the source said, adding that Paris was also not ruling out a new security council &nbsp;resolution.

Ayrault added in his interview that Paris would also seek separate sanctions on the Syrian government at the United Nations once a joint UN and Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) inquiry concludes&nbsp;on October 21.&nbsp;

&quot;We do not agree with what Russia is doing, bombarding Aleppo. France is committed as never before to saving the population of Aleppo,&quot; Ayrault said.

&quot;If the President decides (to see Putin), this will not be to trade pleasantries,&quot; he added.

&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from Reuters)

 
 
&nbsp;

France claims that Russian and Syrian forces have committed war crimes in Aleppo

France is seeking an international war crimes investigation against Syrian and Russian forces in eastern Aleppo and is working to ask the International Criminal Court’s prosecutor to launch the investigation. "These bombings - and I said it in Moscow - are war crimes," the country’s foreign minister Jean-Marc Ayrault told France Inter radio after a French-drafted resolution on Syria was vetoed by Russia in a UN security council meeting on Saturday. "We shall contact the International Criminal Court prosecutor to see how she can launch these investigations." he added. Ever since the collapse of a US-Russia brokered ceasefire deal in September, Russian and Syrian forces have pounded Aleppo’s rebel-held sectors in their biggest offensive. US secretary of state John Kerry had also called for a war crimes investigation last week. It is,however, unclear how the ICC proceeds with an investigation because Syria is not its member and so the court has no jurisdiction in the west Asian country. The only way for the case to make it to ICC is through a referral from the UN security council. Moscow vetoed a French resolution in May 2014 to refer the situation in Syria to the ICC. "It is very dangerous to play with such words because war crimes also weigh on the shoulders of American officials," said Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, according to RIA news agency. A French diplomatic source told Reuters that Paris had begun to comb through the ICC’s articles to see what could be done. "It will be complicated, but we are looking for other solutions. Our jurists are trying to find other ways," the source said, adding that Paris was also not ruling out a new security council resolution. Ayrault added in his interview that Paris would also seek separate sanctions on the Syrian government at the United Nations once a joint UN and Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) inquiry concludes on October 21. "We do not agree with what Russia is doing, bombarding Aleppo. France is committed as never before to saving the population of Aleppo," Ayrault said. "If the President decides (to see Putin), this will not be to trade pleasantries," he added. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

France to seek International Criminal Court options for war crimes investigation in Syria

Mir Quasem Ali, leader of Jamaat-e-Islami, was hanged for 1971 war crimes on Saturday night. 
 
The execution took place at 10.30pm, Bangladesh authorities told local news website bdnews24.com.
 
Ali is the sixth Islamist to be hanged for committing crimes during the&nbsp;country&rsquo;s 1971 Liberation War against Pakistan. 
 
The execution comes&nbsp;around a week&nbsp;after the country&#39;s Supreme Court rejected Ali&#39;s final review petition.
The Kashimpur Central Jail had received the executive order for the media tycoon&#39;s death sentence earlier today. 
 
Bangladesh&#39;s elite force Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), Armed Police Battalion and police &ndash; around 50 in number &ndash; were deployed outside the jail,&nbsp;The Daily Star&nbsp;reported.&nbsp; 
 
A Bangladesh tribunal had sentenced five to execution in a trial initiated in 2010 for the 1971 war criminals. 
 
Ali had refused to seek presidential mercy, Jail superintendent Prashanta Kumar Banik told the media. 
 
Ali was sentenced to death in 2014 for war crimes by the International Crimes Tribunal. 
 
(WION with inputs from PTI)

Mir Quasem Ali was hanged at 10.30pm on Saturday, authorities said

Mir Quasem Ali, leader of Jamaat-e-Islami, was hanged for 1971 war crimes on Saturday night. The execution took place at 10.30pm, Bangladesh authorities told local news website bdnews24.com. Ali is the sixth Islamist to be hanged for committing crimes during the country’s 1971 Liberation War against Pakistan. The execution comes around a week after the country's Supreme Court rejected Ali's final review petition. The Kashimpur Central Jail had received the executive order for the media tycoon's death sentence earlier today. Bangladesh's elite force Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), Armed Police Battalion and police – around 50 in number – were deployed outside the jail, The Daily Star reported. A Bangladesh tribunal had sentenced five to execution in a trial initiated in 2010 for the 1971 war criminals. Ali had refused to seek presidential mercy, Jail superintendent Prashanta Kumar Banik told the media. Ali was sentenced to death in 2014 for war crimes by the International Crimes Tribunal. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Bangladesh: Jamaat-linked tycoon executed for 1971 war crimes

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