The deputy prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Nazhat Shameem Khan, confirmed that while new U.S. sanctions are causing operational inconveniences for staff, the tribunal’s core investigations remain unaffected. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the sweeping financial sanctions on October 9, labeling the court a "rogue" institution and threatening to dismantle it unless it ceases its pursuit of certain international figures, as reported by The Guardian.
ICC Migrates to European Software and Service Providers
Although the sanctions are not set to take full effect until April, court staff are already reporting difficulties with banking services. During an interview with The Guardian, Khan explained that financial institutions are "over-complying" with the measures to mitigate their own risk, leading to credit card and insurance issues for individual employees.
To maintain continuity, the court has initiated a transition away from U.S.-based service providers. The registrar of the ICC is currently working to migrate software systems from Microsoft to European alternatives and is negotiating with service providers to ensure financial and health insurance coverage, according to reporting by POLITICO. The court has also shifted its financial operations to ensure all transactions occur in euros within the eurozone, specifically avoiding any "U.S. nexus" in its supply chain.
Status of Ongoing Investigations
Despite the diplomatic pressure, the ICC maintains that its output has not diminished. Khan noted that the investigation into the war in Gaza, which includes the arrest warrants issued in November 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, has seen "significant progress."
While the public may perceive a lack of activity, Khan stated that the court is bound by judicial orders to keep new warrant applications and evidence secret until judges determine otherwise. "Even if we reach a stage of the investigations where it might be imminent, we may not discuss it publicly," Khan told The Guardian.
European Union Supports ICC Against US Government Measures
The European Union has signaled its opposition to the U.S. measures. On Thursday, the European Parliament awarded the ICC and its officials the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. During a visit to the court’s headquarters in The Hague, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas expressed “strong support” for the tribunal and stated that EU member states are serious about protecting the ICC and the rule of international law.
The U.S. government, however, maintains that the ICC has exceeded its mandate. In his announcement, Rubio claimed the court’s actions against sovereign states—particularly regarding the U.S. and its allies—have set a "dangerous precedent." The U.S. has previously targeted individual ICC staff members with sanctions in February 2025, but the October announcement marks the first time the entire institution has been subjected to full-blocking financial measures.
Why ICC Staff Face Banking Issues and Harassment Probes
Why are ICC staff experiencing banking issues before the sanctions officially begin?
Banks are reportedly "over-complying" with the impending U.S. sanctions to minimize their own legal and financial risks. This proactive approach by financial institutions has led to the disruption of services like credit cards and insurance for court staff, despite the six-month grace period provided by the U.S. government.
What happens at the end of the six-month grace period?
The sanctions, announced on October 9, are scheduled to take full effect in April. The U.S. government has stated this period is intended to allow for diplomatic negotiations, though it remains unclear what specific concessions from the court would satisfy the current U.S. administration.
Related reading