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The president of the International Criminal Court said during the body’s annual meeting on Monday that he would not bow to pressure from the United States and Russia.
Six judges and nine staff members, including the court’s chief prosecutor, have been sanctioned by the US President donald trump US and Israeli officials to pursue investigations, while Moscow has issued warrants for the staff in response to the president’s arrest warrant Vladimir Putin On the war in Ukraine.
“We never accept pressure of any kind,” Judge Tomoko Akane told delegations from the court’s 125 member states.
The restrictions have taken their toll on the court’s work across a wide range of investigations at a time when the institution is facing ever greater demands on its resources.
In her address last year, Akane warned that the court was being threatened by the incoming Trump administration. Three weeks after taking office for the second time, Trump signed an executive order imposing sanctions on prosecutor Karim Khan over his investigation of Israel, a close US ally.
Court has issued an arrest warrant for the Israeli Prime Minister benjamin netanyahu and his former defense minister, Yoav Galant, for alleged war crimes over Israel’s military offensive in Gaza following deadly attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023.
The week-long sitting of the court began on Monday. The business agenda includes approving its budget against the backdrop of mounting pressure and adverse headlines.
ICC It was established in 2002 as the world’s permanent court of last resort to prosecute individuals responsible for the most heinous atrocities – war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and crimes of aggression. The US, Israel, Russia and China are among the countries that are not members.
The court only takes action when nations are unable or unwilling to prosecute crimes that occur on their territory. The ICC has no police force and is dependent on member states to execute arrest warrants.
On top of the staff facing sanctions and arrest warrants, Khan has temporarily stepped down pending the outcome of an investigation into sexual misconduct allegations. He has denied the allegations.
Paevi Kaukoranta, president of the Assembly of States Parties, acknowledged that the investigation into what happened between Khan and a female aide had taken longer than expected. “I am well aware that states are frustrated by the length of this process,” she said in her opening remarks.
No date has been set for completion of the investigation.