International Criminal Court Prosecutor, Karim Khan, has become the first individual to be subjected to economic and travel sanctions as authorized by U.S. President Donald Trump. These measures target the war crimes tribunal based on its investigations involving U.S. citizens or allies. Two sources privy to the matter disclosed this development to Reuters.
Khan, a British national, was included in an annex to an executive order signed by Trump a day prior. The content of this annex is yet to be made public, according to a senior International Criminal Court (ICC) official and another informed source, who discussed the issue under the condition of anonymity.
The sanctions entail the freezing of U.S. assets for the identified individuals and prohibit them and their families from visiting the United States. The order calls on Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio, to deliver a report within 60 days, identifying those who should face sanctions.
The ICC strongly condemned these U.S. sanctions, expressing its commitment to support its personnel and continue delivering justice to countless victims worldwide. Court officials convened in The Hague to assess the repercussions of these actions.
Established in 2002, the International Criminal Court is vested with the authority to prosecute serious crimes such as genocide and war crimes. Several countries expressed concern on Friday, warning that the U.S. sanctions risk promoting impunity for grave offenses and jeopardizing the international rule of law.
The sanctions could gravely disrupt current ICC investigations, potentially leading to the closure of field offices, as cautioned by 79 nations representing nearly two-thirds of the court's membership.
An existing agreement between the United Nations and the U.S. ensures that Khan can continue traveling to New York to brief the U.N. Security Council on cases referred to the ICC, such as those in Libya and Sudan's Darfur region. Farhan Haq, deputy U.N. spokesperson, mentioned that any restrictions would adhere to the host country's obligations under this agreement.
Most recently, Khan was in New York to discuss developments in Sudan. Haq emphasized the importance of international criminal law in combating global impunity, asserting that the ICC must function independently.
Trump's latest action, a reiteration of measures taken during his first term, coincided with the visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington. Netanyahu, sought by the ICC over the Gaza conflict, lauded Trump's decision, criticizing the ICC as a threat to democratic nations' right to self-defense.
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Reporting by Stephanie van den Berg and Anthony Deutsch at The Hague; Additional contributions by Michelle Nichols at the United Nations; Editing by Katharine Jackson and Rosalba O'Brien.
