Peace Through Law

A busy week at the ICC: Dela Rosa, Smotrich, and El Hishri 21 May 2026 · By Alberto Fierro Aldudo ICC permanent premises Alberto Fierro Aldudo holds an LL.M. from Maastricht University, where he specialised international law and human rights. LinkedIn · X Introduction This week, the International Criminal Court has been in the centre of the news for three different reasons: the arrest warrant against former Chief of the Philippines National Police Ronald Dela Rosa and the attempts to arrest him, the rumours of the application for arrest warrants against 5 Israeli officials, and the confirmation of charges hearing in the El Hishri case. The arrest warrant against Dela Rosa On 11 May 2026 in Manila (the Philippines), senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa reappeared in the Senate floor after more than 6 months of absence. Dela Rosa was one of the closest allies of the former president of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte , under whom he served as Chief of th...

Case Sheet · ICC The Prosecutor v. Ronald Marapon Dela Rosa Situation Situation in the Republic of the Philippines Status Pre-Trial · At Large Context Allegedly responsible for the crime against humanity of murder committed on the territory of the the Philippines at least between 3 July 2016 and the end of April 2018, during which no less than 32 persons were killed in the context of the ‘war on drugs’ campaign. Pre-Trial Application for arrest warrant 03 November 2025 Arrest warrant 6 November 2025 (Secret) · 11 May 2026 (Public) Crimes at arrest warrant Crimes against humanity Crime against humanity of murder · art. 7(1)(a) RS Key Documents Arrest Warrant ...

The end of Philippines' jurisdiction debate at the ICC 23 April 2026 · By Alberto Fierro Aldudo Flag of the Philippines Alberto Fierro Aldudo holds an LL.M. from Maastricht University, where he specialised international law and human rights.   LinkedIn · X Introduction Yesterday, the Appeals Chamber (AC) of the International Criminal Court confirmed the Pre-Trial Chamber decision that affirmed the Court's jurisdiction over the situation in the Philippines in relation to the Duterte case . By doing so, the AC put an end to a decade-long debate and stated that it is incompatible with the object and purpose of the Rome Statute (RS) for a state to evade its responsibilities by depositing a written notice of withdrawal once it discovers that alleged crimes committed on its territory or by its nationals are being examined.  The history of the Philippines' jurisdiction debate at the ICC that ended yesterday will impact other potential issues ...

The ICC jurisdiction in the Third Gulf War 8 April 2026 · By Alberto Fierro Aldudo ICC Permanent Premises. The Hague (Netherlands) Alberto Fierro Aldudo holds an LL.M. from Maastricht University, where he specialised international law and human rights.   LinkedIn · X Introduction On the early morning of the 28 February 2026, planes, missiles, and rockets from the United States and Israel started to strike several locations inside Iran. In the weeks that followed, Iran responded with ballistic missiles and drone strikes against Israel, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Jordan, Cyprus, Turkey, and Azerbaijan. At the same time, Israel also initiated a military operation in Lebanon. During this time, the question of why the International Criminal Court (ICC) has not taken action to investigate alleged international crimes committed during the armed conflict has been constantly present in many forums, including o...

Case Sheet · KSC The Specialist Prosecutor v. Salih Mustafa Case number KSC-BC-2020-05 Status End of appeal Context Salih Mustafa was Commander of a BIA guerrilla unit operating within the Llap Operational Zone of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). He was found guilty on 16 December 2022 of three war crimes — arbitrary detention, torture, and murder — committed against persons detained at a compound in the village of Zllash/Zlaš, in the Gollak region of Kosovo, in April 1999. He was acquitted of the war crime of cruel treatment. The Trial Panel sentenced him to 26 years of imprisonment. On 14 December 2023, the Appeals Panel affirmed the convictions but reduced the sentence to 22 years. Following a successful protection of legality request, the sentence was further reduced to 15 years by the Appeals Panel on 10 September 2024. This is the first case in which the ...

Case Sheet · KSC The Specialist Prosecutor v. Hashim Thaçi, Bashkim Smakaj, Isni Kilaj, Fadil Fazliu and Hajredin Kuçi Case number KSC-BC-2024-01 Status   Trial Stage Context This case concerns alleged offences against the administration of justice arising from the principal war crimes trial (KSC-BC-2020-06). According to the indictment, between at least 12 April 2023 and 2 November 2023, Hashim Thaçi, during non-privileged visits to the KSC Detention Facilities, provided Bashkim Smakaj, Isni Kilaj, Fadil Fazliu and Hajredin Kuçi with confidential information about protected witnesses, instructed them to influence those witnesses’ testimonies, and coordinated three distinct groups to that end. Thaçi is charged with 11 counts; Smakaj, Kilaj and Fazliu are charged with attempted obstruction and contempt of court; Kuçi is charged with contempt of court. All five...

Case Sheet · KSC The Specialist Prosecutor v. Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi Case number KSC-BC-2020-06 Status   Trial Stage Context This is the KSC’s principal war crimes and crimes against humanity case. The four accused are former senior officials of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA): Hashim Thaçi (KLA General Staff member, later Prime Minister and President of Kosovo), Kadri Veseli (head of the KLA Intelligence Directorate), Rexhep Selimi (KLA General Inspector), and Jakup Krasniqi (KLA Spokesperson and Deputy Commander). The indictment alleges that between at least March 1998 and September 1999 they bore individual and command responsibility for crimes against hundreds of civilians and persons not taking active part in hostilities, committed in approximately 50 KLA detention sites across Kosovo and northern Albania. All four a...