# ICC Condemns U.S. Sanctions on Its Judges as 'Flagrant Attack'
*The International Criminal Court criticized Trump administration sanctions against two officials, warning they undermine international legal order and judicial independence.*

- Medio: Civic Coast News (https://civiccoastnews.com)
- URL: https://civiccoastnews.com/noticia/icc-condemns-us-sanctions-on-its-judges-as-flagrant-attack
- Sección: Politica
- Autor: Civic Coast News Staff
- Publicado: 2026-08-20T07:08:21.577Z
> The International Criminal Court denounced recent U.S. sanctions against two officials, calling them an assault on judicial independence amid escalating tensions with Washington.

## Las claves

- ICC condemns Trump administration sanctions targeting Judge Tomoko Akane and Abdoulaye Seye
- Sanctions freeze assets and ban entry under Executive Order opposing ICC jurisdiction
- Tensions escalate as U.S. seeks to dismantle court's authority over non-member states

The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a strong statement on Wednesday condemning new sanctions imposed by the U.S. State Department against its president, Judge Tomoko Akane, and Abdoulaye Seye, a senior trial lawyer for the Office of the Prosecutor. The ICC described these measures as "a flagrant attack" against the independence of an impartial judicial institution operating under the mandate conferred by its member states.

### Details of the Sanctions

The U.S. State Department announced the sanctions on Tuesday, accusing Akane and Seye of directly engaging in efforts to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute officials from governments that have not consented to ICC jurisdiction. The penalties include freezing assets within the United States, blocking financial transactions, and prohibiting entry into the country.

These actions were implemented under an Executive Order issued by President Donald Trump in February 2025. The order states that "the United States unequivocally opposes" any ICC actions against the U.S., Israel, or other allies not party to the Rome Statute. Neither nation is a state party to the treaty founded in 2002 and therefore does not recognize the court's jurisdiction.

### Escalating Tensions with Washington

In its statement, the ICC warned that such measures targeting judges, prosecutors, and staff undermine the rule of law and put international legal order at risk. The current sanctions follow a pattern established during Trump’s first term, when he imposed penalties on then-ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda and senior official Phakiso Mochochoko; those restrictions were later lifted under the Biden Administration.

The ICC noted that nine of its 18 judges are now subject to U.S. sanctions, along with both deputy prosecutors, a former prosecutor, and one staff member. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the court as "corrupt and fatally politicized," accusing it of attempting to assert authority over nationals from countries like the United States that have not ratified the Rome Statute.

### Context of U.S.-ICC Conflict

The Trump Administration has long opposed ICC investigations involving American or Israeli nationals. In July, the State Department launched a campaign to "dismantle" the court’s jurisdiction, aiming to disable its ability to target American personnel. Tensions trace back to 2017 when the ICC sought to investigate alleged war crimes by U.S. military in Afghanistan.

Recent friction also involves arrest warrants issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant regarding actions in Gaza. During his Senate confirmation hearing, Rubio characterized these moves as a "test run" against non-member heads of state. Israel has denied the accusations and challenged jurisdiction, with appeals ongoing.
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Fuente original: https://civiccoastnews.com/noticia/icc-condemns-us-sanctions-on-its-judges-as-flagrant-attack