US Sanctions ICC President and Senior Trial Lawyer

The United States imposed sanctions on International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane of Japan and Senior Trial Lawyer Abdoulaye Seye of Senegal on 18 August 2026. The measures were announced by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and were enacted under a presidential executive order.

International Criminal Court

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is a permanent international tribunal established by the Rome Statute of 1998. It has jurisdiction over genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression in states that are parties to the statute or in situations referred by the United Nations Security Council.

Nature of the US Measures

The sanctions freeze any assets held by the designated persons within US jurisdiction, block access to the US financial system, and restrict entry into the United States. The US government stated that the action was linked to ICC proceedings involving officials of states that have not accepted ICC jurisdiction, including the United States and Israel.

Reactions and Related Proceedings

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the sanctions and described the ICC as a “kangaroo court”. Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen opposed the measures and stated that international tribunals must be allowed to carry out their mandates.

Important Facts for Exams

• The International Criminal Court is based in The Hague, Netherlands.
• The Rome Statute entered into force on 1 July 2002.
• The ICC has 18 judges and a Prosecutor’s Office for investigations and prosecutions.
• States that are not parties to the Rome Statute are not automatically subject to ICC jurisdiction.

Recent ICC-Related US Actions

By 19 August 2026, the US administration had sanctioned nine of the ICC’s 18 judges, both deputy prosecutors, its former chief prosecutor, and one additional prosecution staff member. The ICC condemned the sanctions and said it would continue its work on international justice.