Dr Benjamin Thorne
@benjaminthorne.bsky.social
Lecturer in Criminal Law
@unirdg-law.bsky.social
Via PhD
@SussexUni
; Interests: socio-legal studies, transitional justice, critical theory. Book http://tinyurl.com/v77a942b
@unirdg-law.bsky.social
Via PhD
@SussexUni
; Interests: socio-legal studies, transitional justice, critical theory. Book http://tinyurl.com/v77a942b
Pinned
Artificial Sanctions: Potential Implications of US Sanctions on the ICC’s use of AI and Digital Evidence
[Benjamin Thorne is a Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in Criminal Law at the University of Reading] Almost 3 weeks into Donald Trump’s second term as US President and one could have been forgiven fo…
tinyurl.com
I have a new short piece out with Opinio Juris on US sanctions and the ICC which explores possible implications for the court's use of AI, digital evidence and wider investigation processes - tinyurl.com/mryjbdbe
Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
While I was never a fan of Project Harmony for a variety of reasons, namely its encroachment with Microsoft, as well as broader concerns about AI (not all digital evidence obviously), this is a good recap by @benjaminthorne.bsky.social of the impact of sanctions on evidence gathering / preservation
Artificial Sanctions: Potential Implications of US Sanctions on the ICC’s use of AI and Digital Evidence
[Benjamin Thorne is a Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in Criminal Law at the University of Reading] Almost 3 weeks into Donald Trump’s second term as US President and one could have been forgiven fo…
opiniojuris.org
December 19, 2025 at 9:56 AM
While I was never a fan of Project Harmony for a variety of reasons, namely its encroachment with Microsoft, as well as broader concerns about AI (not all digital evidence obviously), this is a good recap by @benjaminthorne.bsky.social of the impact of sanctions on evidence gathering / preservation
Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
Add Gocha Lordkipanidze and Erdenebalsuren Damdin to the sanctions list, bringing the total to eleven.
One ICC insider tells me "I am running out of adjectives."
One ICC insider tells me "I am running out of adjectives."
ICC strongly rejects new U.S. sanctions designations against two ICC Judges
The International Criminal Court deplores the announcement of new designations for sanctions by the US administration against Judge Gocha Lordkipanidze (Georgia) and Judge Erdenebalsuren Damdin (Mongolia). These additional designations follow the earlier designation of nine elected officials of the Judiciary and the Office of the Prosecutor, drawn from all regional groups.These sanctions are a flagrant attack against the independence of an impartial judicial institution which operates pursuant to the mandate conferred by its States Parties from across regions. Such measures targeting judges and prosecutors who were elected by the States Parties undermine the rule of law. When judicial actors are threatened for applying the law, it is the international legal order itself that is placed at risk.As previously stated, the Court stands firmly behind its personnel and behind victims of unimaginable atrocities. It will continue to carry out its mandate with independence and impartiality, in full accordance with the Rome Statute and in the interest of victims of international crimes.The ICC values the consistent demonstrations of solidarity of States Parties, civil society and all those who support the rule of law and justice for the victims of international crimes. The Court will continue its work, with all partners, to ensure the effective and independent implementation of its mandate.For more information, please contact the ICC Public Affairs Unit: PublicAffairs.Unit@icc-cpi.int. You can also follow the Court’s activities on Twitter/X, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Flickr
www.icc-cpi.int
December 18, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Add Gocha Lordkipanidze and Erdenebalsuren Damdin to the sanctions list, bringing the total to eleven.
One ICC insider tells me "I am running out of adjectives."
One ICC insider tells me "I am running out of adjectives."
Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
#Rwanda’s UN Ambassador re-stresses its bid to host the #ICTR #archives (currently housed @ the Mechanism in #Arusha 🇹🇿 & on the #UN Court Records Database)
Ngoga says the records contain "the authoritative historical account of the #Genocide against the Tutsi”
www.newtimes.co.rw/article/3191...
Ngoga says the records contain "the authoritative historical account of the #Genocide against the Tutsi”
www.newtimes.co.rw/article/3191...
Rwanda steps up bid for ICTR archives
Rwanda has renewed its long-standing demand to take custody of the archives of the now defunct International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) and its...
www.newtimes.co.rw
December 13, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
⚡️The Moscow City "Court" convicted the ICC Prosecutor & 8 sitting/former judges of "unlawful prosecution" of Russian citizens (because one of them got so upset). ICC officials were sentenced in absentia (keep it that way!) to jail terms of 3.5-15 years. Karim Khan received 15.
December 12, 2025 at 2:12 PM
⚡️The Moscow City "Court" convicted the ICC Prosecutor & 8 sitting/former judges of "unlawful prosecution" of Russian citizens (because one of them got so upset). ICC officials were sentenced in absentia (keep it that way!) to jail terms of 3.5-15 years. Karim Khan received 15.
Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
Judges and prosecutors at the International Criminal Court are trying to live and work under the same U.S. financial and travel restrictions brought against Russian President Vladimir Putin and Osama bin Laden.
Cut off by their banks and even iced out by Alexa, sanctioned ICC staffers remain resolute
International Criminal Court judges and prosecutors are trying to live and work under the same financial and travel restrictions brought against Russian President Vladimir Putin and Osama bin Laden.
apnews.com
December 12, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Judges and prosecutors at the International Criminal Court are trying to live and work under the same U.S. financial and travel restrictions brought against Russian President Vladimir Putin and Osama bin Laden.
Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
#InternationalCriminalCourt - "It feels as if the institutional ‘erasure’ of the third ICC Prosecutor* has begun, even before the current improvised, imperfect, and non-transparent investigation process has run its course."
- Sergey Vasiliev (professor of international law)
* Karim Khan
- Sergey Vasiliev (professor of international law)
* Karim Khan
December 9, 2025 at 4:58 PM
#InternationalCriminalCourt - "It feels as if the institutional ‘erasure’ of the third ICC Prosecutor* has begun, even before the current improvised, imperfect, and non-transparent investigation process has run its course."
- Sergey Vasiliev (professor of international law)
* Karim Khan
- Sergey Vasiliev (professor of international law)
* Karim Khan
Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
#InternationalCriminalCourt - While everything indicates that Prosecutor Karim Khan has already left the stage, the Assembly of States Parties to the #ICC, refused to address the elephant in the room.
This year, there were several of them.
www.justiceinfo.net/en/153443-af...
#ASP24
This year, there were several of them.
www.justiceinfo.net/en/153443-af...
#ASP24
After the ICC Assembly, the elephants remain in the room
While everything indicates that Prosecutor Karim Khan has already left the stage, the Assembly of States Parties to the International Criminal Court, which has just concluded, refused to address the e...
www.justiceinfo.net
December 9, 2025 at 11:15 AM
#InternationalCriminalCourt - While everything indicates that Prosecutor Karim Khan has already left the stage, the Assembly of States Parties to the #ICC, refused to address the elephant in the room.
This year, there were several of them.
www.justiceinfo.net/en/153443-af...
#ASP24
This year, there were several of them.
www.justiceinfo.net/en/153443-af...
#ASP24
I really enjoyed participating in this event yesterday and the really engaging discussions.
Thank you very much to the organizers for the invitations hosting!
Thank you very much to the organizers for the invitations hosting!
December 5, 2025 at 6:30 AM
I really enjoyed participating in this event yesterday and the really engaging discussions.
Thank you very much to the organizers for the invitations hosting!
Thank you very much to the organizers for the invitations hosting!
Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
"Microsoft processing facilitated the killing of civilians in Gaza by Israel, ... 'enables mass surveillance of individuals in the entire occupied Palestinian territory' and the illegal occupation of lands".
Complaint lodged by @iccl.bsky.social to Data Protection Commission
Complaint lodged by @iccl.bsky.social to Data Protection Commission
Complaint filed against Microsoft Ireland alleging it facilitated mass processing of ‘illegal’ surveillance data on Palestinians
Complaint filed against Microsoft Ireland alleging it facilitated mass processing of ‘illegal’ surveillance data on Palestinians
Irish Council for Civil Liberties made the complaint to the Data Protection Commission in Dublin
www.irishtimes.com
December 4, 2025 at 6:42 PM
"Microsoft processing facilitated the killing of civilians in Gaza by Israel, ... 'enables mass surveillance of individuals in the entire occupied Palestinian territory' and the illegal occupation of lands".
Complaint lodged by @iccl.bsky.social to Data Protection Commission
Complaint lodged by @iccl.bsky.social to Data Protection Commission
Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
"The theme of this even this is how do you apply old law to new challenges," says Marko Milanovic.
December 3, 2025 at 12:36 PM
"The theme of this even this is how do you apply old law to new challenges," says Marko Milanovic.
Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
📣 ESIL Annual Conference 2026 – Website is LIVE!
ℹ️International Law and Conflict: An Enduring Tension?
📅 3–5 Sept 2026
📍 University of Málaga, Spain
Explore global governance, humanitarian law & dispute resolution.
Event details 👉 eventos.uma.es/135950/detai...
#ESILAC2026 #ESILCommunity
ℹ️International Law and Conflict: An Enduring Tension?
📅 3–5 Sept 2026
📍 University of Málaga, Spain
Explore global governance, humanitarian law & dispute resolution.
Event details 👉 eventos.uma.es/135950/detai...
#ESILAC2026 #ESILCommunity
December 3, 2025 at 10:44 AM
📣 ESIL Annual Conference 2026 – Website is LIVE!
ℹ️International Law and Conflict: An Enduring Tension?
📅 3–5 Sept 2026
📍 University of Málaga, Spain
Explore global governance, humanitarian law & dispute resolution.
Event details 👉 eventos.uma.es/135950/detai...
#ESILAC2026 #ESILCommunity
ℹ️International Law and Conflict: An Enduring Tension?
📅 3–5 Sept 2026
📍 University of Málaga, Spain
Explore global governance, humanitarian law & dispute resolution.
Event details 👉 eventos.uma.es/135950/detai...
#ESILAC2026 #ESILCommunity
To add to the OTP's language of 'Resilient Justice' in its 2025 report, maybe also 'austerity justice'?
The budget 2026 is guided by realism and driven by the goal to carry out ICC mission at challenging times. It has required difficult internal adjustment. Every programme has been reassessed. The budget presented is lean. The Court is a responsible steward of public funds. #ASP24
December 3, 2025 at 9:55 AM
To add to the OTP's language of 'Resilient Justice' in its 2025 report, maybe also 'austerity justice'?
Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
The budget 2026 is guided by realism and driven by the goal to carry out ICC mission at challenging times. It has required difficult internal adjustment. Every programme has been reassessed. The budget presented is lean. The Court is a responsible steward of public funds. #ASP24
December 3, 2025 at 9:35 AM
The budget 2026 is guided by realism and driven by the goal to carry out ICC mission at challenging times. It has required difficult internal adjustment. Every programme has been reassessed. The budget presented is lean. The Court is a responsible steward of public funds. #ASP24
Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
The initial appearance for Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri is scheduled for tomorrow at 13:30.
December 2, 2025 at 12:50 PM
The initial appearance for Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri is scheduled for tomorrow at 13:30.
Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
A question: Is it actually possible for the ICC to meaningfully & in a sustainable way address all of its internal cultural issues while simultaneously attempting to fulfill its mandate, which in a general sense, it struggles with, & even more so recently with numerous external pressures?
#ICC
#ICC
#InternationalCriminalCourt - In the 2025 Staff Engagement Survey, which Justice Info has seen, fewer than half the staff would recommend the #ICC as a place to work and less than a third believe the ICC has an open and honest culture.
#ASP24
#ASP24
December 1, 2025 at 2:26 PM
A question: Is it actually possible for the ICC to meaningfully & in a sustainable way address all of its internal cultural issues while simultaneously attempting to fulfill its mandate, which in a general sense, it struggles with, & even more so recently with numerous external pressures?
#ICC
#ICC
Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
Rare good news 4 #ICC on 1st day annual meeting: Libyan Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri transferred from Germany. He’s alleged to have committed directly, ordered or overseen crimes against humanity + war crimes; murder, torture, rape + sexual violence at Mitiga prison. (Pic of prison from earlier).
December 1, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Rare good news 4 #ICC on 1st day annual meeting: Libyan Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri transferred from Germany. He’s alleged to have committed directly, ordered or overseen crimes against humanity + war crimes; murder, torture, rape + sexual violence at Mitiga prison. (Pic of prison from earlier).
Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
I really appreciated the opportunity to have been able to present on Saturday at the ADC-ICT Annual Conference where I discussed international criminal investigations beyond The Hague (ICC) and ongoing challenges and uncertainties relating to technology and the digital accountability 'ecosystem'.
December 1, 2025 at 8:54 AM
I really appreciated the opportunity to have been able to present on Saturday at the ADC-ICT Annual Conference where I discussed international criminal investigations beyond The Hague (ICC) and ongoing challenges and uncertainties relating to technology and the digital accountability 'ecosystem'.
A question: Is it actually possible for the ICC to meaningfully & in a sustainable way address all of its internal cultural issues while simultaneously attempting to fulfill its mandate, which in a general sense, it struggles with, & even more so recently with numerous external pressures?
#ICC
#ICC
#InternationalCriminalCourt - In the 2025 Staff Engagement Survey, which Justice Info has seen, fewer than half the staff would recommend the #ICC as a place to work and less than a third believe the ICC has an open and honest culture.
#ASP24
#ASP24
December 1, 2025 at 2:26 PM
A question: Is it actually possible for the ICC to meaningfully & in a sustainable way address all of its internal cultural issues while simultaneously attempting to fulfill its mandate, which in a general sense, it struggles with, & even more so recently with numerous external pressures?
#ICC
#ICC
Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
Within the office of the prosecutor less than a quarter would feel safe reporting instances of discrimination, harassment, or abuse of authority, without fear of retaliation.
December 1, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Within the office of the prosecutor less than a quarter would feel safe reporting instances of discrimination, harassment, or abuse of authority, without fear of retaliation.
Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
#InternationalCriminalCourt - In the 2025 Staff Engagement Survey, which Justice Info has seen, fewer than half the staff would recommend the #ICC as a place to work and less than a third believe the ICC has an open and honest culture.
#ASP24
#ASP24
December 1, 2025 at 2:14 PM
#InternationalCriminalCourt - In the 2025 Staff Engagement Survey, which Justice Info has seen, fewer than half the staff would recommend the #ICC as a place to work and less than a third believe the ICC has an open and honest culture.
#ASP24
#ASP24
Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
Lots of talk of keeping the ICC going at #ASP24 despite sanctions. But court’s issues extend well beyond the Washington pressures. www.justiceinfo.net/en/152952-ic...
December 1, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Lots of talk of keeping the ICC going at #ASP24 despite sanctions. But court’s issues extend well beyond the Washington pressures. www.justiceinfo.net/en/152952-ic...
I really appreciated the opportunity to have been able to present on Saturday at the ADC-ICT Annual Conference where I discussed international criminal investigations beyond The Hague (ICC) and ongoing challenges and uncertainties relating to technology and the digital accountability 'ecosystem'.
December 1, 2025 at 8:54 AM
I really appreciated the opportunity to have been able to present on Saturday at the ADC-ICT Annual Conference where I discussed international criminal investigations beyond The Hague (ICC) and ongoing challenges and uncertainties relating to technology and the digital accountability 'ecosystem'.
Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
Sexual misconduct allegations deserve to be investigated in an impartial and thorough way, but this must be transparent and efficient to respect the rights of everyone involved. This is really getting embarrassing for everyone at this point and seriously undermines the work of the court.
Important @middleeasteye-rss.bsky.social article by Sondos Asem on the current investigation at the #ICC. Extensive quotes from @ezejim.bsky.social and @sevslv.bsky.social. www.middleeasteye.net/news/icc-lim...
ICC 'in limbo' as chief prosecutor's fate uncertain ahead of member states assembly
UN inquiry into allegations against Karim Khan missed October submission date with no explanation as key annual meeting by International Criminal Court's governing body due to begin
www.middleeasteye.net
November 29, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Sexual misconduct allegations deserve to be investigated in an impartial and thorough way, but this must be transparent and efficient to respect the rights of everyone involved. This is really getting embarrassing for everyone at this point and seriously undermines the work of the court.