ICC condemns US sanctions on president, senior prosecutor, calls it ‘flagrant attack’

The International Criminal Court on Wednesday condemned the US’ move of imposing sanctions on the court’s president and senior prosecutor.

ICC called the US sanctions a “flagrant attack” on the independence of the tribunal and vowed to continue upholding justice against the atrocities happening around the world.

The court issued a statement, stating, "when judicial actors are threatened for applying the law, it is the international legal order itself that is placed at risk. And it will continue to fully discharge its mandate with independence and impartiality.”

The court’s response comes after the US State Department placed sanctions on the ICC president Tomoko Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye. The measures include freezing their assets within US jurisdiction and blocking their access to the US financial system.

The staff included a total of nine ICC judges, both deputy prosecutors, the former chief prosecutor, and another staff member.

The administration accused the ICC of being "corrupt and fatally politicized," arguing it has exceeded its mandate by investigating officials from countries that are not members of the court, such as the United States and Israel.

In response to these sanctions, the Japanese government expressed concerns over the restrictions against its national , President Akane.

Additionally, several advocacy groups have filed a lawsuit in the Southern District of New York, challenging the administration's actions as an illegal attack on international justice.