ICC hits back after US announces fresh sanctions on senior court figures
The United States has imposed sanctions on senior International Criminal Court officials, including President Tomoko Akane, as part of a broader effort to challenge the court's jurisdiction. The ICC condemned the move, stating that threats against judicial actors undermine the international rule of law.
Why it matters
This escalation highlights the growing geopolitical tension between the US and international judicial bodies regarding sovereignty and the prosecution of government officials.
Washington on Tuesday announced sanctions against the president of the International Criminal Court (ICC), as the Trump administration ramps up its efforts to "dismantle" the organisation.In a statement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US was sanctioning ICC President Tomoko Akane as well as senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye, accusing them of "directly" engaging "in efforts by the ICC to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute officials whose government has not consented to ICC jurisdiction."Rubio, who called the ICC a "corrupt and fatally politicised supranational court," added that it had "maliciously abused its authority and exceeded its mandate," saying it had "repeatedly attempted to assert authority over nationals of the United States and other countries that have not consented to its jurisdiction or ratified the Rome Statute."Washington has repeatedly…
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