ICC Issues Arrest Warrants for Top Taliban Leaders

The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for two Taliban leaders in Afghanistan, including the group's supreme leader Haibatullah Akhundzada. The ICC is accusing them of denying human rights to women and girls. The court in The Hague made the announcement on Tuesday.

The warrants allege that the two are criminally responsible for depriving women and girls of education, freedom of expression and other rights for about three-and-a-half years, until at least January this year.

The ICC's statement says it "found that gender persecution encompasses not only direct acts of violence, but also systemic and institutionalised forms of harm." ICC prosecutors requested the warrants in January.

The court had been investigating the Taliban interim government for restricting women in education and other fields. The Islamist group regained power in 2021. A spokesperson for the interim government issued a statement strongly condemning the ICC's decision.

It says such an announcement and baseless claims cannot affect the Taliban's "firm determination and legitimate stance" in any way.