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Trump’s lawyer vows to block ICC bid to relaunch probe into US soldiers’ ‘war crimes’

A personal attorney of President Donald Trump has traveled to The Hague to contest an International Criminal Court (ICC) war crimes investigation targeting US forces overseas, arguing the body has no jurisdiction.
The ICC’s chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda is set to make a second request to launch a full war crimes probe this week, after she was barred entry into the US to pursue an initial investigation in April and shot down by a panel of ICC judges. This time, one of the president’s personal lawyers, Jay Sekulow, will testify to challenge the move.
“The #ICC’s Prosecutor is seeking to investigate ‘war crimes’ charges against members of our #US Armed Forces,” Sekulow said in a tweet. “I'm in #TheHague right now, preparing to fight for the interests of our brave military & their freedoms.”
https://twitter.com/JaySekulow/status/1201611008739094528
The lawyer was allowed to file a “friend of the court” brief as an independent expert and says he will use his 10 minutes of testimony to defend American servicemen from accusations, insisting the ICC “has no jurisdiction over our soldiers.” Washington has not asked to present its own arguments separately, however, meaning Sekulow will respond to written arguments already submitted to the court.
https://twitter.com/JaySekulow/status/1202010386784018432
Based on preliminary evidence, prosecutors say they have indication US forces, including employees of the CIA, abused detainees in Afghanistan, which could rise to the level of a war crime.
President Trump has taken aim at the ICC previously, criticizing its “broad” and “unaccountable” prosecutorial powers, and has chafed at the idea of war crimes charges for American soldiers in general, even in US courts. Last month, the president pardoned two Army officers facing war crimes charges for their actions in Afghanistan, and reinstated the rank of Edward Gallagher, a Navy SEAL who was accused of similar atrocities during his deployment in Iraq, but ultimately acquitted of most charges in court.
The military later ordered a review to consider expelling Gallagher from the SEALs before he retired, but President Trump intervened in the row and stopped the process dead in its tracks. Navy Secretary Richard Spencer, who was accused of working out a backroom deal with the White House to ensure Gallagher kept his credentials, was fired as a result.The ICC first opened its doors in 2002, tasked with prosecuting war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity if they were carried out on the territory of any of its 123 members – including Afghanistan – or by a citizen of one of the body’s member states. While a signatory to the ICC, the United States (as well as Russia) never ratified the treaty which established the body, and does not consider itself legally bound by its rulings.
source: Reuters
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BENEFIT AGM approves 10%...
- March 27, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).
Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.
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