U.S. sanctions 4 International Criminal Court judges, claiming they abused power

The Trump administration issued sanctions against four people as judges of the International Criminal Court, citing the “politicization and abuse of power” of the Court, after a decision authorizing an arrest ensure For Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and another targeting American staff in Afghanistan.

Last year, the queen judges Adelaide Sophie Alapini Gansou and Beti Hohler, of the preliminary division and first instance of the Court, decided to authorize the issuance of arrest mandates aimed at Netanyahu and the former Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant, said the State Department.

Judges Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda and Luz del Carmen Ibanez of Peru, from the iCC’s Appeals Division Were part of a team that paved the way for the opening of an icc investigation into alleged crimes committed by Afghanistan.

“As judges of the ICC, these four individuals have actively engaged in the illegitimate and baseless actions of the CPI targeting America or our close ally, Israel,” said Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a statement. “The ICC is politicized and falsely claims the discretionary power without hindrances to investigate, invoice and continue nationals of the United States and our allies.”

Neither the United States nor Israel are part of the status of Rome which established the ICC.

The ICC said in a statement that measures were “a clear attempt to undermine the independence of an international judicial institution”.

“Targeting those who work for responsibility do nothing to help civilians trapped in the conflict,” said the court.

In November 2024, the chief prosecutor of the ICC Karim Khan issuing Arrest of the mandates for Netanyahu and Gallant, as well as three senior leaders of Hamas. This decision aroused demonstrations of the Biden administration, the former president calling him “scandalous”.

Khan moved away from his role last month in the middle of a sexual misconduct not directed by a single leader.

During President Trump’s first term, the US government imposed SANCTIONS – Led later by the Biden administration – on the CPI prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, and the senior official Phakiso Mochochoko for their investigation into war crimes presumed by the American army in Afghanistan. The Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, then published restrictions on visas on other CPI officials and family members.

This decision should be greeted by Russian President Vladimir Putin – In March 2023, the court also issuing A arrest warrant for him.