The International Criminal Court (ICC) is seeking arrest warrants for Taliban officials for alleged gender-based crimes, as the group continues to crack down on women’s rights in Afghanistan.

The requested warrants target Hibatullah Akhundzada, the reclusive Kandahar-based leader of the Taliban, and Abdul Hakim Haqqani, the group’s chief justice.

The Hague-based ICC is mandated to rule on the world’s worst offenses, such as war crimes and crimes against humanity. The court has no police force and relies on its 125 member states to execute its arrest warrants. Taliban officials did not immediately offer any response to the ICC announcement.

The International Criminal Court is seeking arrest warrants for two Taliban leaders, including Haibatullah Akhundzada, accusing them of gender-based persecution in Afghanistan. This marks a significant step in addressing alleged war crimes and human rights abuses by the Taliban against women,

The International Criminal Court prosecutor on Thursday said he had applied for arrest warrants for Taliban leaders in Afghanistan, including supreme spiritual leader Haibatullah Akhundzada, accusing them of crimes against humanity for widespread discrimination against women and girls.

The International Criminal Court prosecutor said on Thursday he had applied for arrest warrants for two Taliban leaders in Afghanistan including supreme spiritual leader Haibatullah Akhundzada, accusing them of crimes against humanity for widespread ...