Dr Benjamin Thorne
@benjaminthorne.bsky.social
Lecturer in Criminal Law
@unirdg-law.bsky.social
Via PhD
@SussexUni
; Interests: socio-legal studies, transitional justice, critical theory. Book http://tinyurl.com/v77a942b
@unirdg-law.bsky.social
Via PhD
@SussexUni
; Interests: socio-legal studies, transitional justice, critical theory. Book http://tinyurl.com/v77a942b
Pinned
Artificial Sanctions: Potential Implications of US Sanctions on the ICC’s use of AI and Digital Evidence
[Benjamin Thorne is a Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in Criminal Law at the University of Reading] Almost 3 weeks into Donald Trump’s second term as US President and one could have been forgiven fo…
tinyurl.com
I have a new short piece out with Opinio Juris on US sanctions and the ICC which explores possible implications for the court's use of AI, digital evidence and wider investigation processes - tinyurl.com/mryjbdbe
Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
Lafarge trial courtroom diary (part 2): White-Collar Terror Trial
Only on Justice Info 👇
www.justiceinfo.net/en/152660-la...
#Lafarge
Only on Justice Info 👇
www.justiceinfo.net/en/152660-la...
#Lafarge
Lafarge on Trial - Part 2: White-Collar Terror Trial
In partnership with Justice Info, Professor of international law Sharon Weill and eleven students at Sciences Po Paris are covering the Lafarge trial daily, providing a weekly ethnography of the trial...
www.justiceinfo.net
November 24, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Lafarge trial courtroom diary (part 2): White-Collar Terror Trial
Only on Justice Info 👇
www.justiceinfo.net/en/152660-la...
#Lafarge
Only on Justice Info 👇
www.justiceinfo.net/en/152660-la...
#Lafarge
Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
‘Risk exiting the market’
what a way to package the complete collapse of higher education
what a way to package the complete collapse of higher education
November 25, 2025 at 7:21 PM
‘Risk exiting the market’
what a way to package the complete collapse of higher education
what a way to package the complete collapse of higher education
Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
UNIRMCT Judge Joseph Masanche has authorized subsistence payments to the five remaining #ICTR acquitted and released persons in #Niger through Dec 2026, but ruled that repatriation to #Rwanda after that may be possible. www.irmct.org/sites/defaul...
www.irmct.org
November 21, 2025 at 12:55 PM
UNIRMCT Judge Joseph Masanche has authorized subsistence payments to the five remaining #ICTR acquitted and released persons in #Niger through Dec 2026, but ruled that repatriation to #Rwanda after that may be possible. www.irmct.org/sites/defaul...
Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
Le Monde has published an interview with French ICC judge Nicolas Guillou about the practicalities of being sanctioned by the US and the failure of states to stand up to this assault on the rule of law.
www.lemonde.fr/internationa...
A thread with some quotations:
www.lemonde.fr/internationa...
A thread with some quotations:
La vie de Nicolas Guillou, juge français de la CPI sous sanctions des Etats-Unis : « Vous êtes interdit bancaire sur une bonne partie de la planète »
Six juges et trois procureurs de la Cour pénale internationale ont été placés sous sanctions par l’administration Trump. Dans un entretien au « Monde », le magistrat raconte le poids de ces mesures su...
www.lemonde.fr
November 20, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Le Monde has published an interview with French ICC judge Nicolas Guillou about the practicalities of being sanctioned by the US and the failure of states to stand up to this assault on the rule of law.
www.lemonde.fr/internationa...
A thread with some quotations:
www.lemonde.fr/internationa...
A thread with some quotations:
Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
I love the head of google giving an interview saying you can’t trust what AI chatbots say but also simultaneously warning it would be bad if people stopped using AI, mate you do see that this isn’t helping to convince anyone this stuff is great right?!
November 18, 2025 at 9:53 AM
I love the head of google giving an interview saying you can’t trust what AI chatbots say but also simultaneously warning it would be bad if people stopped using AI, mate you do see that this isn’t helping to convince anyone this stuff is great right?!
Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
I talked to PBS News Hour about how the Trump sanctions are impacting the International Criminal Court.
How sanctions imposed by Trump are taking a toll on the International Criminal Court
The International Criminal Court, or ICC, only intervenes when national courts can't or won't prosecute crimes like genocide and crimes against humanity. But after the Trump administration sanctioned ...
www.pbs.org
November 16, 2025 at 10:19 AM
I talked to PBS News Hour about how the Trump sanctions are impacting the International Criminal Court.
Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
Félicien Kabuga, the nonagenarian accused of financing the Rwandan Geocide, will not be sent back to Rwanda, continuing his legal limbo.
November 14, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Félicien Kabuga, the nonagenarian accused of financing the Rwandan Geocide, will not be sent back to Rwanda, continuing his legal limbo.
Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
Looking forward to speaking at University of Reading tomorrow as part of their international law speakers series. The link to join online is here: teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-joi...
November 12, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Looking forward to speaking at University of Reading tomorrow as part of their international law speakers series. The link to join online is here: teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-joi...
Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
The Public Law Conference @uctlaw.bsky.social 1-4 July 2026.
With Justice Steven Majiedt & Dr Nomfundo Ramalekana on the organising committee race, reparation & resistance to authoritarianism are firmly on the agenda.
law.uct.ac.za/publiclawcon...
@madlingozi.bsky.social @pashukanist.bsky.social
With Justice Steven Majiedt & Dr Nomfundo Ramalekana on the organising committee race, reparation & resistance to authoritarianism are firmly on the agenda.
law.uct.ac.za/publiclawcon...
@madlingozi.bsky.social @pashukanist.bsky.social
September 29, 2025 at 8:33 AM
The Public Law Conference @uctlaw.bsky.social 1-4 July 2026.
With Justice Steven Majiedt & Dr Nomfundo Ramalekana on the organising committee race, reparation & resistance to authoritarianism are firmly on the agenda.
law.uct.ac.za/publiclawcon...
@madlingozi.bsky.social @pashukanist.bsky.social
With Justice Steven Majiedt & Dr Nomfundo Ramalekana on the organising committee race, reparation & resistance to authoritarianism are firmly on the agenda.
law.uct.ac.za/publiclawcon...
@madlingozi.bsky.social @pashukanist.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
Quite big international criminal justice news from Turkey. The Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office in Istanbul has issued arrest warrants for 37 senior Israeli officials including Benjamin Netanyahu for genocide and crimes against humanity - www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Turkey issues genocide arrest warrant against Benjamin Netanyahu
Israeli PM, ministers and army chief accused of crimes against humanity ‘perpetrated systematically’ in Gaza
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Quite big international criminal justice news from Turkey. The Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office in Istanbul has issued arrest warrants for 37 senior Israeli officials including Benjamin Netanyahu for genocide and crimes against humanity - www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Quite big international criminal justice news from Turkey. The Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office in Istanbul has issued arrest warrants for 37 senior Israeli officials including Benjamin Netanyahu for genocide and crimes against humanity - www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Turkey issues genocide arrest warrant against Benjamin Netanyahu
Israeli PM, ministers and army chief accused of crimes against humanity ‘perpetrated systematically’ in Gaza
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Quite big international criminal justice news from Turkey. The Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office in Istanbul has issued arrest warrants for 37 senior Israeli officials including Benjamin Netanyahu for genocide and crimes against humanity - www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
Today - almost 1 month after the historic “Confirmation of Charges” hearings against an absent Joseph #Kony - the #ICC Pre-Trial Chamber has confirmed all 39 charges of #warcrimes and crimes against humanity laid by the prosecutor.
www.icc-cpi.int/news/kony-ca...
www.icc-cpi.int/news/kony-ca...
November 6, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Today - almost 1 month after the historic “Confirmation of Charges” hearings against an absent Joseph #Kony - the #ICC Pre-Trial Chamber has confirmed all 39 charges of #warcrimes and crimes against humanity laid by the prosecutor.
www.icc-cpi.int/news/kony-ca...
www.icc-cpi.int/news/kony-ca...
Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
A Dutch appeals court on Thursday dismissed an appeal by a group of human rights organizations that filed a lawsuit arguing the Netherlands was violating international law by continuing to sell weapons to Israel.
Dutch court dismisses appeal seeking to halt weapons exports to Israel
A Dutch appeals court has dismissed an appeal by human rights organizations seeking to stop the Netherlands from selling weapons to Israel.
apnews.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:55 PM
A Dutch appeals court on Thursday dismissed an appeal by a group of human rights organizations that filed a lawsuit arguing the Netherlands was violating international law by continuing to sell weapons to Israel.
Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
The #ICC Office of the #Prosecutor said of the decision:
“This ensures that Joseph Kony – once arrested – can immediately face trial on these charges”
But judges explicitly suspended the #appeal filing deadline. So if #Kony is ever arrested, expect intense appeals before any possible trial.
“This ensures that Joseph Kony – once arrested – can immediately face trial on these charges”
But judges explicitly suspended the #appeal filing deadline. So if #Kony is ever arrested, expect intense appeals before any possible trial.
Today - almost 1 month after the historic “Confirmation of Charges” hearings against an absent Joseph #Kony - the #ICC Pre-Trial Chamber has confirmed all 39 charges of #warcrimes and crimes against humanity laid by the prosecutor.
www.icc-cpi.int/news/kony-ca...
www.icc-cpi.int/news/kony-ca...
November 6, 2025 at 6:04 PM
The #ICC Office of the #Prosecutor said of the decision:
“This ensures that Joseph Kony – once arrested – can immediately face trial on these charges”
But judges explicitly suspended the #appeal filing deadline. So if #Kony is ever arrested, expect intense appeals before any possible trial.
“This ensures that Joseph Kony – once arrested – can immediately face trial on these charges”
But judges explicitly suspended the #appeal filing deadline. So if #Kony is ever arrested, expect intense appeals before any possible trial.
Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
BIG NEWS #icc #internationaljustice
Osama Almasri Najim who is wanted by the International Criminal Court, and who was arrested in Italy in January only to be released two days later and sent back to Tripoli, has today been arrested in Tripoli relating to allegations of torturing prisoners - www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
November 5, 2025 at 9:18 PM
BIG NEWS #icc #internationaljustice
Osama Almasri Najim who is wanted by the International Criminal Court, and who was arrested in Italy in January only to be released two days later and sent back to Tripoli, has today been arrested in Tripoli relating to allegations of torturing prisoners - www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
November 5, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Osama Almasri Najim who is wanted by the International Criminal Court, and who was arrested in Italy in January only to be released two days later and sent back to Tripoli, has today been arrested in Tripoli relating to allegations of torturing prisoners - www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
I am quoted a few times in this news piece on the ICC moving away from some Microsoft products and services (piece is free to read though need to register to access) - www.thestack.technology/eu-digital-s...
#ICC
#ICC
ICC drops Microsoft Office for new German OSS alternative
Germany’s Federal Ministry of the Interior is backing OSS alternative "openDesk"
www.thestack.technology
November 5, 2025 at 10:42 AM
I am quoted a few times in this news piece on the ICC moving away from some Microsoft products and services (piece is free to read though need to register to access) - www.thestack.technology/eu-digital-s...
#ICC
#ICC
Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
A few thoughts from me (via LinkedIn) on the continuing challenges for the International Criminal Court, and other international institutions/organisations, regarding technologies, big US tech providers, and digital sovereignty #ICC
November 4, 2025 at 12:51 PM
A few thoughts from me (via LinkedIn) on the continuing challenges for the International Criminal Court, and other international institutions/organisations, regarding technologies, big US tech providers, and digital sovereignty #ICC
A few thoughts from me (via LinkedIn) on the continuing challenges for the International Criminal Court, and other international institutions/organisations, regarding technologies, big US tech providers, and digital sovereignty #ICC
November 4, 2025 at 12:51 PM
A few thoughts from me (via LinkedIn) on the continuing challenges for the International Criminal Court, and other international institutions/organisations, regarding technologies, big US tech providers, and digital sovereignty #ICC
Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
There's a (sizable) faction of the Democratic Party devoted to running 2028 as a "return to normalcy" campaign.
Even if this can win in 28, it's fundamentally unsuited to the broader problems at hand and would be nothing more than another Biden-esque pause on democratic backsliding.
Even if this can win in 28, it's fundamentally unsuited to the broader problems at hand and would be nothing more than another Biden-esque pause on democratic backsliding.
The Better Things Aren't Possible Wing has declared Spanberger is The Future Of The Democratic Party with this transparently stupid line fed to one of their press familiars
November 4, 2025 at 10:33 AM
There's a (sizable) faction of the Democratic Party devoted to running 2028 as a "return to normalcy" campaign.
Even if this can win in 28, it's fundamentally unsuited to the broader problems at hand and would be nothing more than another Biden-esque pause on democratic backsliding.
Even if this can win in 28, it's fundamentally unsuited to the broader problems at hand and would be nothing more than another Biden-esque pause on democratic backsliding.
The OTP of the International Criminal Court expresses its profound alarm and deepest concern over recent reports emerging from El-Fasher about mass killings, rapes, and other crimes allegedly committed during the course of the Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) attacks - lnkd.in/dqpvMhK3
#ICC
#ICC
LinkedIn
This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn
lnkd.in
November 3, 2025 at 12:54 PM
The OTP of the International Criminal Court expresses its profound alarm and deepest concern over recent reports emerging from El-Fasher about mass killings, rapes, and other crimes allegedly committed during the course of the Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) attacks - lnkd.in/dqpvMhK3
#ICC
#ICC
Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
A visual representation of international institutions/organisations and governments current discussions on whether or not to commitment permanently to leaving Microsoft/big US tech and find alternatives.
#Microsoft
#Microsoft
a beach with waves crashing on the sand and a blue sky
ALT: a beach with waves crashing on the sand and a blue sky
media.tenor.com
November 3, 2025 at 11:18 AM
A visual representation of international institutions/organisations and governments current discussions on whether or not to commitment permanently to leaving Microsoft/big US tech and find alternatives.
#Microsoft
#Microsoft
Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
Whilst this is progress & may indicate that the ICC is taking digital sovereignty more seriously, this move does not mark the arrival at the destination rather a first step in what will possibly be a longer journey to fully disentangle itself from a variety of US big tech services and products.
#ICC
#ICC
BIG International Criminal Court & technology news: The ICC will replace Microsoft & instead use German Open Desk software. This move is in direct response to current US sanctions against ICC staff, & threats to sanction the court. a significant positive step for the independence of the ICC.
#ICC
#ICC
November 3, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Whilst this is progress & may indicate that the ICC is taking digital sovereignty more seriously, this move does not mark the arrival at the destination rather a first step in what will possibly be a longer journey to fully disentangle itself from a variety of US big tech services and products.
#ICC
#ICC
A visual representation of international institutions/organisations and governments current discussions on whether or not to commitment permanently to leaving Microsoft/big US tech and find alternatives.
#Microsoft
#Microsoft
a beach with waves crashing on the sand and a blue sky
ALT: a beach with waves crashing on the sand and a blue sky
media.tenor.com
November 3, 2025 at 11:18 AM
A visual representation of international institutions/organisations and governments current discussions on whether or not to commitment permanently to leaving Microsoft/big US tech and find alternatives.
#Microsoft
#Microsoft
Whilst this is progress & may indicate that the ICC is taking digital sovereignty more seriously, this move does not mark the arrival at the destination rather a first step in what will possibly be a longer journey to fully disentangle itself from a variety of US big tech services and products.
#ICC
#ICC
BIG International Criminal Court & technology news: The ICC will replace Microsoft & instead use German Open Desk software. This move is in direct response to current US sanctions against ICC staff, & threats to sanction the court. a significant positive step for the independence of the ICC.
#ICC
#ICC
November 3, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Whilst this is progress & may indicate that the ICC is taking digital sovereignty more seriously, this move does not mark the arrival at the destination rather a first step in what will possibly be a longer journey to fully disentangle itself from a variety of US big tech services and products.
#ICC
#ICC