The United States (US) has imposed economic sanctions against key officials and employees of the International Criminal Court (ICC), including its President, Japanese Judge Tomoko Akane, escalating tensions between Washington and the Hague-based tribunal.

The measures, announced by the US administration, freeze any assets held by the targeted individuals within US jurisdiction and block their access to the American financial system. US stated the move targets personnel directly involved in proceedings against officials from non-member states that have not consented to ICC jurisdiction, specifically pointing to investigations involving non-signatory nations.

In a statement issued from its headquarters, the ICC strongly condemned the action, describing the sanctions as a blatant assault on the independence of an impartial judicial body. The tribunal warned that targeting judicial actors for carrying out their mandate severely undermines the rule of law and threatens the broader international legal framework.

The sanctions have triggered wave of international condemnation. Critics and international law experts argue that using economic penalties against Judges and Prosecutors sets a dangerous precedent for international justice and accountability.

–ChannelAfrica–