USA Expanded Sanctions Against Leadership of International…

USA Expanded Sanctions Against Leadership of International Criminal Court

19.08.2026 07:26 HotInfo

The United States announced new sanctions against senior officials of the International Criminal Court in The Hague. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday, August 18, stated that the measures concern court President Tomoko Akane from Japan and senior court counsel Abdoulaye Seye from Senegal. Onet Wiadomosci ↗

Washington thereby further escalated its dispute with the institution, which the American administration accuses of abusing its powers and politicization. Akane began her three-year term as head of the court in 2024. According to available information, Seye is a senior counsel of the court and participated in investigations into alleged Israeli war crimes in the Gaza Strip. Le Figaro ↗

The measures follow previous pressure by the United States on the International Criminal Court. The court has long been in conflict with Washington, particularly in cases involving American allies or representatives of states over which the court exercises its jurisdiction.

The Netherlands, where the court is based, responded to the U.S. decision. Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen expressed support for the court's president and emphasized that international tribunals must have the ability to freely carry out their mandate. According to available reports, the court itself stands by its staff.

The dispute thus continues as a broader conflict between the United States and the International Criminal Court over the limits of its jurisdiction, the independence of investigations, and the political consequences of decisions made in The Hague.