The International Criminal Court has condemned new United States sanctions targeting its president, Tomoko Akane, and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye. The court described the measures as an attack on judicial independence.
According to the Associated Press, the sanctions are part of the Trump administration’s continuing campaign against the Hague-based court. This campaign relates to investigations involving officials from countries that do not recognise ICC jurisdiction.
The ICC said measures targeting its judges, prosecutors and staff threaten the independence of the institution and undermine international law.
Court rejects US action
“These sanctions are a flagrant attack against the independence of an impartial judicial institution,” the ICC said.
The court added that targeting judicial officials for carrying out their duties undermines the rule of law.
Akane, a Japanese judge, has served as ICC president since March 2024. Meanwhile, Seye is a Senegalese senior trial lawyer with the court.
The latest US action adds them to a growing number of ICC officials targeted by Washington.
Washington defends sanctions
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the decision. He accused the court of attempting to investigate or prosecute officials whose governments have not accepted its jurisdiction.
The Trump administration has repeatedly criticised the ICC as politicised and has opposed investigations involving American and Israeli officials.
The United States is not a member of the ICC and does not recognise the court’s jurisdiction over its citizens.
The sanctions restrict the targeted officials’ access to the American financial system and can freeze assets under US jurisdiction.
Japan, EU back ICC
The measures have drawn criticism from some of Washington’s international partners.
Japan, which is one of the ICC’s strongest financial supporters, described the decision to sanction Akane as unfortunate. Furthermore, it reiterated its support for the court.
European leaders have also backed the ICC’s independence. They argued that judges and prosecutors must be allowed to perform their duties without external pressure.
US-ICC tensions deepen
Relations between Washington and the court have deteriorated sharply over ICC investigations connected to the war in Gaza.
The dispute intensified after the court issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in 2024.
The Trump administration has since expanded pressure on the institution and its officials.
The ICC has maintained that it will continue carrying out its mandate. This will occur despite sanctions and other pressure from governments opposed to its investigations.
