Washington, USA — Last month, the United States launched a diplomatic campaign against the International Criminal Court (ICC) in bid to increase pressure against the international tribunal over their so-called attempts to exercise authority over American officials.
And as part of that campaign, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced sanctions against two ICC top members.
In his X account, Rubio said that the Trump administration is sanctioning ICC President Tomoko Akane and Senior Trial Lawyer Abdoulaye Seye.
Rubio accused the two officials of taking part in efforts to investigate, arrest, detain or prosecute officials from countries that have not accepted the ICC’s jurisdiction.
Akane of Japan has served as ICC president since March 2024.
Meanwhile, Seye of Senegal was part of the prosecution team that sought an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over his operation against Gaza.
United States and Israel relations are recently tied through joint military alliance especially against Iran
Both are not members of the ICC and do not recognize its authority.
Reports stated that the sanction will freeze any assets the two officials may have in the United States and restrict U.S.-based entities from conducting transactions with them.
The ICC meanwhile condemned the move, arguing that threatening judicial officials undermine the law.