ICC investigations

The ICC may only exercise jurisdiction if:

1. The accused is a national or a state party; 
2. The crime took place on the territory of a state party;
3. The UN Security Council has referred the situation to the Prosecutor, irrespective of the nationality of the perpetrator or the location of the crime.

Cases at the ICC can be initiated one of three ways:

• by a state who is party to the Rome Statute (by nationality or territoriality);
• by a referral from the UN Security Council; 
• by the ICC Prosecutor choosing to investigate a certain case. 
   

The ICC only exercises jurisdiction over crimes committed from 2002 to present. For new states, it can only exercise it 60 days after ratification; unless they specifically ask for retroactive measures.

Discover more about the ICC's current investigations

The ICC Prosecutor’s investigations consist of gathering and examining evidence, questioning persons under investigation and questioning victims and witnesses, for the purpose of finding evidence of a suspect's innocence or guilt. The Prosecutor sends investigators to areas where the alleged crimes occurred to gather evidence. In order to conduct its investigations, the Prosecutor may require assistance from States and international organizations.