ICC hits back after US announces fresh sanctions on senior court figures

The United States has sanctioned International Criminal Court (ICC) President Tomoko Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye for allegedly engaging in efforts to investigate and prosecute officials without consent from their respective governments, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The sanctions, imposed under an executive order signed by President Trump, target individuals who have directly participated in the ICC's operations.

The ICC, established in 2002, prosecutes war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity. The U.S. is not a member of the court. The sanctions, which freeze any U.S. assets held by the sanctioned individuals, come after Washington imposed targeted sanctions on several ICC officials last year, citing the ICC's arrest warrants for Israeli officials and its investigation into U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

Three ICC judges also sued Trump and his administration in June, arguing the sanctions were unlawful. The U.S. Treasury Department issued a general licence allowing transactions involving Akane to be wound down through September 17. Rubio stated that the administration would intensify efforts to undermine the ICC.