POLITICS
Taliban Dismiss ICC Arrest Warrants as “Foolish Declarations”
The Afghan Taliban have firmly rejected the arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against two of its top officials, terming the move a violation of Islamic sovereignty.
In a statement released by Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, the group said that such “foolish declarations” will not shake their commitment to Islamic Shariah law. “The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan does not recognize the jurisdiction of the ICC,” Mujahid stated.
The ICC had issued warrants for Taliban Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada and Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani. They are accused of enforcing systematic gender-based restrictions on women, which the ICC classifies as crimes against humanity.
ICC judges claimed they have reasonable grounds to believe that the Taliban leadership has committed serious gender-based violations since retaking power in 2021.
The Taliban argue that their governance is rooted in Islamic principles, and they consider the ICC’s involvement an external interference in Afghanistan’s internal affairs.