US sanctions disrupt International Criminal Court work on Putin case – AP
Karim Khan, Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is finding it increasingly difficult to carry out its work due to US sanctions, Associated Press reports.
According to the publication, amid US sanctions, International Criminal Court Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan lost access to his email following a decision by Microsoft, and his bank accounts were frozen. At the same time, American ICC staff were warned that they could face arrest if they travel to the United States.
Some non-governmental organizations have also ceased cooperation with the Court, and leaders of one such organization have even stopped responding to emails from ICC staff.
"Sanctions prevent victims from getting access to justice," said Liz Evenson, International Justice Director at Human Rights Watch.
At the same time, six senior staff members have left the Court due to concerns over the sanctions.
One of the key reasons the Court has found itself in a difficult position is its heavy reliance on contractors and non-governmental organizations. According to current and former ICC staff, these entities have scaled back their work on behalf of the Court out of fear of becoming targets of US authorities.
One unnamed ICC employee has already begun to question whether the Court can survive the next four years.
US sanctions against the ICC
On February 13, the United States imposed sanctions on International Criminal Court (ICC) Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan. The move came in response to the Court issuing an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Back in 2023, the ICC also issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin, concluding that the Kremlin leader was involved in the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia.
