ICC chief prosecutor announces monitoring of post-election situation in Venezuela

Karim Khan, chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, announced on Monday that he is “actively monitoring” the situation in Venezuela following the July presidential election, AFP reported.

Khan also said his office had received multiple reports of violence following the July 28 presidential election.

President Nicolás Maduro won the election, according to official results. The opposition called the results fraudulent and claimed the winner was its candidate, Edmundo González Urrutia. The disputed presidential election sparked protests across the country that left at least 24 people dead, according to human rights groups. Police detained 2,200 people.

Maduro also ordered a 10-day blockade of the social network X on Thursday, accusing X owner Elon Musk of using the social network to incite hatred after the election.

Khan’s office said in a statement that it was “independently evaluating all of these reports and other available information within its duties and authority.”

ICC prosecutors have previously opened an investigation into possible crimes against humanity committed by government forces during opposition protests in 2017, when more than 100 people were killed.

The ICC prosecutor’s office announced that it had “engaged at the highest levels of the Venezuelan government to emphasize the importance of ensuring respect for the rule of law.”