#international-justice

#international-justice

Salem Al-Salem, 58, has appeared in a UK court facing charges of crimes against humanity, including murder and torture. Al-Salem, who attended proceedings with a breathing tube, is accused in a landmark prosecution by British authorities. The charges stem from his alleged activities in Damascus in 2011. He faces three counts of murder, three counts of torture, and one charge of conduct ancillary to murder, marking the first prosecution of its kind in the UK.

In the U.K., former Prince Andrew (now Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor) and former Ambassador to the U.S. Peter Mandelson were arrested based on "misconduct in public office"; in Norway, former Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland was charged with "gross corruption"; and in France, an official investigation is under way into former Culture Minister Jack Lang.

Israel's president will visit London next Thursday just weeks before the UK is expected to recognise the state of Palestine at the UN general assembly, the Guardian understands.

The ICC criticized the US sanctions as a clear attempt to undermine the independence of an international judicial institution, which is essential for global justice.