Judges at the International Criminal Court have ordered prosecutors to stop pursuing parts of their Afghanistan investigation concerning alleged crimes by US personnel and the regional Islamic State affiliate, according to court documents made public on 13 November 2026. The prosecutor’s office has appealed. The decision cites serious practical limits on gathering evidence and conducting investigations; it is not a judicial finding that alleged abuses did or did not occur.
The investigation has long been politically sensitive. US authorities oppose ICC jurisdiction over American personnel, while advocates of international accountability argue that allegations involving any party deserve independent examination. The latest decision shifts the court’s immediate focus toward alleged crimes by the Taliban since their return to power in 2021. The appeal means the scope of the inquiry remains contested.
Source: Al Jazeera, 14 November 2026.
