Between Immunity and Impunity

Examines how high-ranking public officials commit transnational crimes and avoid accountability by exploiting international law immunities.

Examines how state officials and officials of international organizations take advantage of international law immunities to perpetrate transnational crimes and avoid accountability. Focuses on the trafficking in persons and drugs, corruption, and money laundering committed or facilitated by political elites for personal financial or material gain.How do top-level public officials take advantage of immunity from foreign jurisdiction afforded to them by international law? How does the immunity entitlement allow them to thwart investigations and trial proceedings in foreign courts? What responses exist to prevent and punish such conduct? In Between Immunity and Impunity, Yuliya Zabyelina unravels the intricate layers of impunity of political elites complicit in transnational crimes. By examining cases of trafficking in persons and drugs, corruption, and money laundering that implicate heads of state and of government, ministers, diplomats, and international civil servants, she shows that, despite the potential of international law immunity to impede or delay justice, there are prominent instruments of external accountability. Accessible and compelling, this book provides novel insights for readers interested in the close-knit bond between power, illicit wealth, and impunity.