US sanctions won't change court's handling of cases: ICC chief

The Hague: The president of the International Criminal Court (ICC) said on Monday that U.S. sanctions imposed on senior officials of the court have created personal disruption for those affected, but stressed that the institution would continue to operate independently and would not submit to external pressure.

Speaking at the opening of the annual meeting of representatives from the court’s 125 member states in The Hague, ICC President Judge Tomoko Akane said the measures have disturbed the personal and family lives of the sanctioned officials and interfered with their financial dealings, even in ICC member states in Europe. She underlined that the court would not allow any outside influence over how it interprets its legal mandate or decides cases.

Earlier this year, under President Donald Trump’s administration, the United States imposed sanctions on nine ICC officials, including judges and prosecutors, in response to investigations related to alleged war crimes involving Israel. Officials familiar with the matter have also indicated that Washington may be considering broader penalties targeting the entire court, Reuters reported.

The sanctions include freezing any U.S.-based assets held by those affected and cutting off access to the American financial system, a move that can have global consequences since many international banks maintain links with U.S. institutions.

The ICC has issued arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as against members of the Palestinian group Hamas, over alleged crimes committed during the Gaza conflict. All of those named have rejected the accusations.

The United States has previously imposed restrictions on court officials in connection with these cases and also over a separate probe into alleged offences in Afghanistan, which initially included scrutiny of the conduct of U.S. forces.

Established in 2002, the ICC operates under a treaty that authorises it to prosecute cases involving genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes when they involve nationals of member countries or occur on the territory of a state that has signed the court’s founding statute.