THE International Criminal Court (ICC) office of the prosecutor issued a warning today against intimidation, saying its officers are being threatened.

The court said: “The office is aware that there is significant public interest in its investigations, and it welcomes comments, communication of concerns, and engagement in its activities from state and elected officials, non-governmental organisations, scholars and activists.

“The office seeks to engage constructively with all stakeholders whenever such dialogue is consistent with its mandate under the Rome Statute to act independently and impartially.”

The ICC, based in The Hague, Netherlands, was established in 2002 and investigates and can bring charges against individuals for the gravest crimes such as genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression. 

Its statement said: “That independence and impartiality are undermined when individuals threaten to retaliate against the court or against court personnel should the office, in fulfilment of its mandate, make decisions about investigations or cases falling within its jurisdiction.

“Such threats, even when not acted upon, may also constitute an offence against the administration of justice under Article 70 of the Rome Statute.

“That provision explicitly prohibits both ‘retaliating against an official of the court on account of duties performed by that or another official’ and ‘impeding, intimidating or corruptly influencing an official of the court for the purpose of forcing or persuading the official not to perform, or to perform improperly, his or her duties’.”

The statement insisted that “all attempts to impede, intimidate or improperly influence its officials cease immediately."

The ICC has 17 ongoing investigations.

Last week Israeli officials expressed concern that the ICC is about to issue arrest warrants for the country’s leaders in connection with possible war crimes committed by Israel going back to the 2014 Israel-Hamas war. 

Israel does not recognise the court.