Venezuela seeks to take over ICC investigation into killings
ABC News
Venezuela has asked the International Criminal Court to defer to authorities in the Latin American nation its investigation into allegations of torture and extrajudicial killings committed by security forces under President Nicolás Maduro’s rule
THE HAGUE, Netherlands -- Venezuela has asked the International Criminal Court to defer to authorities in the Latin American nation its investigation into allegations of torture and extrajudicial killings committed by security forces under President Nicolás Maduro’s rule, the court's prosecutor announced Thursday.
If judges accept the request, it would effectively halt the global court's first probe into crimes in a Latin American country and allow Venezuelan law enforcement authorities to investigate.
However, ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan indicated he wants to press ahead with the investigation he announced in November and said he will soon ask judges to approve a continuation of his probe.
It will likely take the court’s judges months to rule on the Venezuelan request. Khan said he may, if necessary, ask the judges for authority to carry out investigations pending their decision.
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