Case Explained: The Alibi Machine by Coda Story – Legal Perspective

GRC is proud to present The Alibi Machine by Coda Story, built on the research and analysis developed in the Manufacturing Impunity: Russia’s Use of Information Alibis and How they Materially Contribute to the Planning, Execution and Cover-up of International Crimes report — a joint project by Global Rights Compliance and The Reckoning Project. 

This is a powerful and timely piece that brings critical legal and policy questions on accountability for potentially criminal information operations to a wider audience. 

Through investigative storytelling and expert analysis, the material explores how disinformation can function as “information alibis” — coordinated, pre-emptive information operations that shape narratives before and after attacks to justify, obscure, and ultimately shield potential perpetrators of international crimes from accountability. At Global Rights Compliance, our work has focused on examining how information alibis may facilitate unlawful acts and, in certain circumstances, may amount to a contribution to a crime.

Scott Martin, International Legal Expert for GRC, noted: “I think we found clear examples where information alibis should be investigated as a contribution to an international crime subject to the jurisdiction of theInternational Criminal Court.” 

We are grateful to Coda Story for translating this research into such a compelling and accessible format. 

Explore the material

Read the report: Manufacturing Impunity: Russia’s Use of Information Alibis and How they Materially Contribute to the Planning, Execution and Cover-up of International Crimes