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US sanctions ICC President Tomoko Akane and senior lawyer FAST-MOVING
The United States has imposed new sanctions against top International Criminal Court (ICC) officials, including President Tomoko Akane of Japan and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye of Senegal. The measures, which include asset freezes, travel bans, and restrictions on using services from U.S. companies, were issued under a February 2025 executive order by President Donald Trump declaring a national emergency regarding the court.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterized the ICC as a “corrupt and fatally politicized supranational court” that has exceeded its mandate by targeting officials from nations that have not consented to its jurisdiction. The administration's campaign aims to dismantle the court's ability to investigate or prosecute American nationals and their allies.
The escalation follows the ICC's issuance of arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes in Gaza, including the use of starvation as a method of warfare. The U.S. and Israel are not members of the ICC. Previously, the administration had already sanctioned at least 11 ICC officials, including nine judges and the former chief prosecutor, Karim Khan.
Entities
Abdoulaye Seye · Benjamin Netanyahu · International Criminal Court · Marco Rubio · Tomoko Akane · United States
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 6 SOURCES] Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the ICC as a corrupt and politicized court that has exceeded its mandate. www.al-monitor.com · 444.hu · ca.news.yahoo.com · keyt.com · www.theguardian.com · +1 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] The ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant. www.al-monitor.com · keyt.com · www.theguardian.com · krdo.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The sanctions follow a February 2025 executive order by President Donald Trump declaring a national emergency regarding the ICC. www.al-monitor.com · www.theguardian.com · 444.hu · ca.news.yahoo.com · cryptobriefing.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] A three-judge ICC panel determined there are reasonable grounds to believe Netanyahu bears responsibility for war crimes in Gaza, including starvation as a method of warfare. www.al-monitor.com · keyt.com · krdo.com · www.theguardian.com
- [● 7 SOURCES] The US administration has sanctioned at least 11 ICC officials, including nine judges and the chief prosecutor. 444.hu · ca.news.yahoo.com · www.al-monitor.com · cryptobriefing.com · keyt.com · +2 more
- [● 7 SOURCES] The US imposed sanctions against ICC President Tomoko Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye. www.al-monitor.com · 444.hu · ca.news.yahoo.com · keyt.com · www.theguardian.com · +2 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] Secretary Rubio has called on the 125 member countries of the ICC to withdraw from the court. ca.news.yahoo.com · www.theguardian.com · www.al-monitor.com · keyt.com · krdo.com
- [● 6 SOURCES] The sanctions include asset freezes, travel bans, and restrictions on using services from US companies. 444.hu · ca.news.yahoo.com · cryptobriefing.com · keyt.com · krdo.com · +1 more