ICC Deputy Says US Sanctions Strain Staff Banking

The deputy prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has reported that US sanctions are creating immediate financial friction for staff, even though the court’s legal work continues without pause. Nazhat Shameem Khan, who is currently co-running the prosecutor's office, stated that the measures have not hindered the institution's output despite the growing pressure from Washington.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the sanctions on October 9. He labeled the ICC a "rogue court" and declared that the US would either force the court to end its threats or end the court itself. Rubio provided a six-month grace period for the ICC to negotiate a solution, though the specific criteria for satisfying Washington remain undefined.

Khan said the investigation into the war in Gaza has seen substantial movement since November 2024. That is when the court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Galant. She explained that no new charges have been announced recently because the court ruled earlier this year that all warrant applications must remain secret until judges approve their release. "Even if we reach a stage of the investigations where it might be imminent, we may not discuss it publicly," Khan said.

Financial difficulties are already appearing among employees. Khan described banks as "over-complying" with the new rules to minimize risk while the scope of the sanctions is still unclear. Although the sanctions are not officially due to take effect for six months, staff members are reporting issues with their accounts. "These are sanctions imposed on the institutions and, in principle, our individual members should not be impacted directly," Khan said. "But again, what I am hearing from members of our staff is that some of them are experiencing difficulties in banking."

The court is taking steps to reduce its reliance on American technology and services. It is switching its software from Microsoft to European alternatives and negotiating with providers for banking and health insurance. Khan noted that the court has not decided to reduce its capability or output based on the sanctions. She acknowledged that it is impossible to predict the full impact once the measures formally begin.

Khan, who was part of a group of 13 ICC staff targeted by the US in February 2025, noted the personal inconvenience of losing access to credit cards. She contrasted this daily difficulty with the plight of victims in refugee camps and sites of mass atrocities. "We see the faces of our victims for whom sanctions and credit cards are completely irrelevant," she said. "They just want justice."

The court is also navigating internal challenges. A formal investigation began in late November 2024 into sexual harassment allegations against former chief prosecutor Karim Khan. He denied the charges and was removed from his post in July following a vote by member states. Additionally, the ICC registrar is negotiating with the European Union to block the sanctions or protect the court. On Thursday, the European Parliament awarded the court and its officials the Sakharov prize for freedom of thought.