ICC rebukes new US sanctions on judges and prosecutors
The International Criminal Court condemned newly announced United States sanctions against four of its officials, describing the move as a direct assault on the court’s independence and the broader rules-based order. The measures target Canadian Judge Kimberly Prost, French Judge Nicolas Guillou, and deputy prosecutors Nazhat Shameem Khan of Fiji and Mame Mandiaye Niang of Senegal.
US officials said the sanctions respond to ICC actions aimed at investigating or prosecuting American and Israeli nationals, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant, for alleged war crimes. Secretary of State Marco Rubio labeled the court a “national security threat” and argued it is being used as an instrument of “lawfare” against the United States and Israel. Washington said the four ICC officials “directly engaged” in efforts to pursue cases against US or Israeli citizens without those governments’ consent.
The sanctions freeze any assets the officials hold in US jurisdictions and block their access to US property or financial interests. Israel welcomed the step, with Netanyahu praising it as a firm response to what he called a smear campaign against his country and its military.
In a statement published on its website, the ICC said the US decision is a “flagrant attack” on an impartial judicial institution and an affront to member states and victims of international crimes. The court vowed to continue its work “undeterred,” emphasizing that its mandate serves victims rather than political agendas.
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