ICC says US sanctions ‘flagrant attack’ on court independence

The International Criminal Court lashes out at the United States after Washington slapped sanctions on ICC President Tomoko Akane, calling it a “flagrant attack” on the court’s independence.

The US sanctioned Akane of Japan and trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye of Senegal on Tuesday, as part of Washington’s campaign against what it calls a “corrupt and fatally politicized” body.

The EU’s top officials immediately threw their support behind Akane, saying they “stand firmly” with the ICC president and her top officials.

In twin statements on X, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen and European Council head Antonio Costa the court “must be able to act independently and without external pressure.”

Germany echoed the stance, with its foreign ministry calling the court’s independence “of central importance.” The Netherlands, which hosts the court at The Hague, also voiced its disapproval.

Slamming the US move, Spain described the court as “the cornerstone of the international criminal justice system.”

Japan also objected to the sanctions, saying the country has “consistently supported the ICC… in its efforts to prosecute and punish the most serious crimes of concern to the international community and to uphold the rule of law.”

Japan is the biggest funder of the ICC and a close ally of the US — which is not a party to the international treaty that established the court.

The court says in a statement: “These sanctions are a flagrant attack against the independence of an impartial judicial institution.”

“Such measures targeting judges, prosecutors and staff… undermine the rule of law,” it adds.