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The International Criminal Court (ICC) finds itself entangled in a web of digital chaos as it grapples with the aftermath of a major hacking incident.
Reuters reports that the Dutch-based ICC, renowned for prosecuting war crimes and crimes against humanity, now faces severe limitations on its digital operations, casting a shadow over ongoing trials and investigations.
Cybersecurity Incident Unveiled
The situation began when the ICC revealed a "cybersecurity incident" on Tuesday, sending shockwaves through the institution.
Since then, details have been scarce, with officials remaining tight-lipped about the nature and origin of the attack.
What is clear, however, is the profound impact it has had on the ICC's core functions.
Digital Paralysis Grips the ICC
As of now, the ICC has been forced to disconnect most of its systems that can access the internet.
This drastic measure means that employees are left without access to email, and documents that were once just a click away are now inaccessible for those not working on-site.
It is a disruption of seismic proportions for an institution tasked with the weighty responsibility of delivering justice on an international scale.
Trial Impacts
Reuters reports that one of the most immediate casualties of this digital breakdown is the trial of Patrice-Edouard Ngaissona and Alfred Yekatom, who stand accused of leading militias responsible for attacks on Muslim civilians in the Central African Republic.
The proceedings resumed on Thursday, but the ICC's livestream was conspicuously absent, and the galleries, typically bustling with the public and journalists, were eerily silent.
Defense Lawyers Scramble
The situation is dire for the defense teams, like that of Geert-Jan Knoops, who represents one of the defendants.
Knoops expressed concerns about whether the hack had exposed sensitive documents, including potentially confidential information about protected witnesses.
To continue their work, lawyers are resorting to old-school methods of information exchange, such as USB flash drives and paper binders, delivering vital data personally from office to office.
The pace has slowed considerably, leaving defense attorneys grappling with uncertainty about the duration of this disruption.
Russian President Putin
While the ICC grapples with this unprecedented hack, it is worth noting that the court had issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this year.
The warrant alleges his involvement in illegally deporting children from Ukraine, a claim vehemently denied by the Kremlin.
This case underscores the ICC's far-reaching jurisdiction and the potential geopolitical implications of its investigations.
Beyond Putin's case, the ICC is currently investigating alleged war crimes in several hotspots, including Ukraine, Sudan, and Afghanistan. The outcomes of these inquiries could have profound consequences for international diplomacy and justice.
What's Next?
As the ICC struggles to regain its digital footing, the overriding question is how long this crisis will persist. Mylene Dimitri, defending Alfred Yekatom, has urged the court to press forward despite the limitations to avoid prolonging her client's trial indefinitely.
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