Russia says the International Criminal Court (ICC) showed no interest in Afghanistan until recently. Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council Konstantin Kosachev claims this shift came only after Moscow recognised the Taliban.
He accused the ICC of practising “justice after the fact”. Moreover, he said the court had ignored war crimes by Western forces in Afghanistan.
“Entire villages, schools, and hospitals were destroyed. Women and children were killed. But no warrants were issued,” Kosachev wrote on Telegram.
He noted that even minor attempts to investigate U.S. troops led nowhere. Kosachev called the ICC’s actions “a case of double standards”.
ICC Issues Arrest Warrants for Taliban Leaders
On July 8, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Hibatullah Akhundzada and Abdul Hakim Haqqani. Akhundzada is the Taliban’s supreme leader. Haqqani serves as the group’s chief judge.
The court accuses them of crimes against humanity, including gender and political discrimination.
It says Taliban decrees have stripped women of their rights. These include education, privacy, freedom of movement, and expression.
Russia Recognises the Taliban Government
Russia formally recognised the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan on July 3. It became the first country to do so.
Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko received the new Afghan ambassador, Mawlawi Gul Hassan, that same day.
Moscow said the move will help expand cooperation. The recognition follows Russia’s lifting of a 20-year ban on the Taliban.
Afghanistan welcomed the decision. Officials said they hope other countries will follow Russia’s lead.
