ICC opens investigation into Burundi for crimes against humanity
The Hague — International judges have approved the opening of a full investigation into alleged crimes against humanity in Burundi, where at least 1,200 people have died in unrest since 2015, court officials revealed on Thursday. The decision was made by judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) last month just two days before Burundi became the first nation to quit the tribunal, on October 27, but it had been kept under seal until Thursday. In the decision, the judges authorised ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda "to open an investigation regarding crimes within the jurisdiction of the court allegedly committed in Burundi or by nationals of Burundi outside Burundi since April 26 2015 until October 26 2017." Bensouda can also extend the probe by her team to acts committed both before and after that date "if certain legal requirements are met".
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