❗️Kabul rejects ICC arrest warrants against Taliban leaders as 'politicized'

Afghanistan's Foreign Ministry rejected the International Criminal Court's unsealing of arrest warrants against four senior Taliban officials, accusing the court of violating Afghanistan's sovereignty and independence and pursuing a "selective and politicized" approach.

The ICC's Pre-Trial Chamber II made public warrants on Monday against Taliban leader Haibatullah Akhundzada, Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani, Education Minister Habibullah Agha and Minister of Higher Education Neda Mohammad Nadim.

The warrants, issued in July and September 2025, concern alleged crimes against humanity involving persecution on gender and political grounds committed between the Taliban's return to power on 15 August 2021 and at least 20 January 2025.

Kabul said it has "no form of cooperation or engagement" with the ICC and rejects any jurisdiction it claims over Afghanistan, arguing that the court's previous association with the pre-Taliban government, which the ministry described as established under foreign occupation, has no legal validity.

It said Afghanistan remains open to engagement with the international community based on mutual respect, while rejecting interference in its internal affairs and the imposition of judicial jurisdiction.