Exclusive: ICC issued two secret arrest warrants for Taliban members for gender persecution

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued two secret arrest warrants targeting senior Taliban members for committing the crime against humanity of gender persecution. The warrants were issued in September 2025 by a panel of three judges, following secret applications prepared under the leadership of Karim Khan. The warrants aim to address crimes committed by the Taliban from August 2021 to January 2025, as the de facto government in Afghanistan.

The ICC is investigating allegations of gender persecution, which is a rare charge under international law, with no prior convictions to date. The Taliban warrants mark a historic precedent, as they are the first to recognize LGBTQ+ victims. The court's decision to keep the warrants confidential was influenced by the United States' opposition to the applications and the fear of potential sanctions.

The US has imposed retaliatory financial and visa sanctions on ICC officials, including Karim Khan, following the public announcement of the warrants.