US imposes sanctions on four ICC judges

The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on four International Criminal COURT (ICC) judges over the organization's "politicization and abuse of power," the State Department said in a statement.

The sanctions list includes Judges Solomy Balungi Bossa and Luis Del Carmen Ibanez Carranza of the ICC Appeals Division, Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini Gansou and Beti Holer of the Pre-Trial and Trial Divisions.

"These individuals were directly involved in the ICC's unlawful efforts to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute US or Israeli nationals without the consent of those states. Neither the US nor Israel is a party to the Rome Statute," the statement said.

The State Department said in a statement that "the ICC has demonstrated a politicized approach and has misappropriated its authority to investigate, indict, and prosecute U.S. citizens and [its] allies."

In January, the US House of Representatives passed a bill on sanctions against the International Criminal Court.

According to the document, restrictions will be imposed for any attempts by the ICC to facilitate “the investigation, arrest, detention, or prosecution of any person under the protection of the United States and its allies.” The sanctions include visa denials and a ban on business contacts with blacklisted individuals.

In May 2024 , the US authorities considered the ICC's plans to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outrageous. Then- US President Joe Biden stressed that the United States "will always stand with Israel against threats to its security."

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