According to “The Guardian”, Mossad tried to pressure the International Criminal Court
Yossi Cohen, the former director of Israel’s foreign intelligence service Mossad, has tried on several occasions to pressure former International Criminal Court (ICC) chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda to abandon the process that led to the request for his successor. , last week, it was reported on Tuesday that arrest warrants had been issued against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. GuardianCiting several sources.
The “Communication Secrets” The British newspaper reported that Yossi Cohen had been with Fatou Bensouda in the years leading up to the opening in 2021 of an inquiry into possible war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
In addition to Benjamin Netanyahu, Karim Khan’s May 20 request for arrest warrants after Fatou Bensouda in June 2021 concerns Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant and three Hamas leaders.
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According to a senior Israeli official GuardianIt does not reveal their identity, these “Contacts” Approved “at a high level” and justified by the fact that the ICC procedure would pave the way for prosecutions against Israeli soldiers. The newspaper quoted another Israeli source as saying that Mossad’s aim was to gain the prosecutor’s cooperation or, failing that, compromise with her. “Activity Information”.
Worried about behavior “More and more insistent and threatening” Of Yossi Cohen, Fatou Bensouda gave information to other ICC staff, four of whom confirmed it. Guardian. According to their testimony, the author of the article continues, the head of Mossad specifically declared to the prosecutor: “You need to help us and we need to take care of you.” You don’t want to get involved in things that could compromise your or your family’s safety. »
“The Mossad was also closely concerned with members of the M familyme She obtained transcripts of secret recordings from Bensouda and her husband, according to two sources with direct knowledge of the situation. The Israeli authorities used these documents to try to discredit the lawyer.He writes.
Contacted by GuardianA spokesman for the Israeli prime minister condemned the attack “False accusations (…) intended to harm the State of Israel”. Mr. Questions submitted to Cohen went unanswered, the newspaper said. As for usme Bensouda, who declined to comment, adds.
On May 3, Karim Khan sent a warning “Threatening individuals [la CPI] Revenge »Without specifying from whom these threats came.