{
  "id": 2067886,
  "title": "ICC calls US sanctions on president a ‘flagrant attack’ on court’s independence",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/icc-calls-us-sanctions-on-president-a-flagrant-attack-on-courts",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-20T03:46:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/world/2026/08/20/icc-calls-us-sanctions-on-president-a-flagrant-attack-on-courts-independence/232010"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The International Criminal Court (ICC) has strongly condemned the United States for sanctioning its president, Tomoko Akane, and trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye of Senegal, labeling it a \"flagrant attack\" on the court's independence. The US imposed these sanctions on Tuesday, under the pretext of combating what it perceives as a \"corrupt and politically biased\" institution. Washington bars Akane and Seye from entering the US and conducting financial transactions within the country's financial system. The UN's rights chief, Volker Turk, and top officials from the European Union have rallied behind Akane and her superiors, calling for the sanctions to be lifted. European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen and European Council head Antonio Costa emphasized that the ICC must be able to operate independently and without external interference. Germany's foreign ministry, as well as the Netherlands, which hosts the ICC, also voiced their disapproval. France, Spain, and the ICC itself have all condemned the sanctions, stating that they undermine the rule of law. Japan, the ICC's largest contributor and a US ally, opposes the sanctions, insisting that it has consistently backed the court in its efforts to prosecute serious crimes and uphold the rule of law. The US has previously imposed sanctions on other ICC officials, primarily in response to the court's investigations involving Israel, a close US ally. US officials claim that the sanctioned individuals have actively participated in the ICC's investigations, arrests, detentions, and prosecutions of officials without their countries' consent. In 2024, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the war in Gaza, which he supports.",
  "summary": "THE HAGUE, Aug 20 — The International Criminal Court yesterday lashed out at the US after Washington slapped sanct...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}