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CRM 1-499

5. Crimes Against Internationally Protected Persons (18 U.S.C. § § 112, 878, 1116, 1201(a)(4))

Enacted to implement United States treaty obligations under two international conventions concerning terrorist acts that threaten the maintenance of normal international relations, Federal statutes specifically protect any Chief of State, head of government or Foreign Minister and their families when they are out of their own country. As a general rule, they also protect diplomatic personnel protected by the Vienna Conventions while they are out of their own country. Federal extraterritorial criminal jurisdiction exists over the murder, kidnapping, assault or threats to murder, kidnap or assault an internationally protected person (IPP) when: (1) the victim IPP is a representative, officer, employee, or agent of the United States government; (2) the perpetrator of the offense against any IPP anywhere in the world is subsequently found in the United States; or (3) effective as of April 24, 1996, the perpetrator is a national of the United States. See JM 9-65.800, et seq.