INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL LIABILITY OF PRIVATE MILITARY AND SECURITY COMPANIES

In this paper, the author analyzes the recent phenomenon of private military and security companies from the Criminal Law perspective. The author explains in detail what these entities consist of and what their role is in modern armed conflicts. The article intends to study the way in which criminal liability can result from private contractors involved in international crimes. Finally, the most relevant cases in which the personnel of private military and security companies have been involved in the commission of international crimes are examined, assessing whether the instruments provided for in International Criminal Law to demand criminal responsibility have been sufficient to prosecute private contractors.