NationStates Jolt Archive

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/africa/10/17/black.hawk.ap/index.html
STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AP) -- A Somali suspected of being a militia leader during the 1993 "Black Hawk Down" battle that left 18 Americans dead was arrested Monday on suspicion of war crimes while attending a conference in Sweden, police and organizers said.

Yes, Sweden is not the country to go to if you're someone who commits war crimes. I believe we were discussing the provisions of the ICC the other day, and it looks like Sweden takes it more seriously than most nations.

The ICC/CPI has no jurisdiction in this matter as the alleged crime happened before its statute came into force (1 July 2002) and Sweden's judicial system is not failing to prosecute (the ICC/CPI will only investigate and prosecute if a State is unwilling or unable to genuinely prosecute). We do however have a law on prosecution for war crimes, and this person will be tried by that, if the charges merit so, by a Swedish court, it seems.

The swedes always had a very stern approach to war criminals, he can expect to be sentenced and imprisoned or sentenced and delivered. Yes, not a good place to go as a war criminal...but same applies to most other (western) european countries, some have highly sufficient police forces.

Unless you are a "western criminal of war"

Dumb idea to attend such a conference, though...

Sweden seems to be more on the ball than even most other European nations.

They have experiences with loosing their prime ministers, makes a police force to be on the edge...but I guess this man somehow lost his protection...if he is a wanted criminal he would have been arrested anywhere in Schengen territory

They have experiences with loosing their prime ministers

Losing one is hardly "experiences with loosing their prime ministers." Anna Lindh, by the by, was the Minister of Foreign Affairs, so that leaves us Olof Palme in modern times.