Pentagon Blocks US From Sharing Info on Alleged Russian War Crimes With ICC

The Pentagon is blocking the Biden administration from sharing evidence of alleged Russian war crimes with the International Criminal Court based in the Hague over concerns that a precedent could be set for Americans to be prosecuted for their military actions, The New York Times reported on Wednesday.

The US has a history of impeding the ICC’s efforts to investigate suspected war crimes committed by the US and its allies but has offered to help probe Russia’s war in Ukraine. Attorney General Merrick Garland visited Ukraine last week and pledged the Justice Department would help Ukrainians with investigations.

According to the Times, the rest of the Biden administration, including the State Department, Justice Department, and intelligence agencies, favor giving information to the ICC. In December, Congress modified restrictions on helping the court to facilitate the investigations into Russia’s military operations.