ICC judges sue Trump over 'draconian' sanctions / Photo: JOHN THYS - AFP/File
-
'Multiple victims' in Oregon elementary school shooting: police
-
Ailing UK director Mike Leigh wishes he could make '100 more films'
-
ChangeNOW Announces NOW AI After Resolving Website Integration Vulnerability
-
Pixagram Announces Free Account Creation for 250 New Users Daily Through 2026
-
Argentine demonstration over education cuts ends in clashes
-
Macron warns urgent to strike EU budget deal before French vote runup
-
Argentine protesters, police clash at demo over university funding
-
Zelensky rallies European allies as Trump ties slump
-
US stocks end higher as AI shares stabilize
-
Guardians edge Rays to seize MLB playoff series lead
-
School roof collapse kills 32 children, teacher in Pakistan
-
Trump scraps plan to livestream execution after fierce backlash
-
Lyon down Palace in Europa League, Sunderland leave it late
-
Martinez apologises for outburst at Man Utd hierarchy
-
UniCredit says receives ECB green light for Commerzbank takeover
-
Houthis launch deadly attack on presidential palace in Yemen's Aden
-
New York City pension fund asks Anthropic to delay IPO
-
Brazil forward Antony says home burgled during Betis match
-
Venezuela's Maduro denies US torture charges as 'false accusations'
-
Ravens face familiar foe in Browns coach Monken
-
Somalia sets May presidential election despite insecurity
-
France, Germany reach deal on future of car industry
-
Chelsea's Caicedo eager to be more of a leader
-
Carney campaigns for Canadian unity before Alberta secession vote
-
Rahm reaches separation deal with LIV in bankruptcy court
-
ATP proposes rankings system changes, extra player bonuses
-
UN chief urges nations to end 'war on nature'
-
Russell Brand was 'monster-like', alleged victim tells UK court
-
Newcastle boss Jaissle says Fernandez-Pardo just needs a goal
-
Crowded Launches Crowded MCP, Bringing Nonprofit Financial Operations Into ChatGPT and Claude
-
Infantino offers apology but 'no answers' at FIFA meeting over World Cup plan
-
Albanian PM condemns 'chaos' as violent unrest spreads
-
Don't exclude Turkey from 'Made in Europe' plan: minister to AFP
-
Italian football suffers new blow with Champions League misery
-
French duo Justice to score 'GTA VI': game maker
-
Trump scraps plan to livestream execution after broad backlash
-
El Nino a 'terrifying' threat to coral reefs: UN biodiversity expert
-
Seven missing off Romania after latest Black Sea drone attacks
-
Barcola must get used to Liverpool highs and lows, says Iraola
-
ARKBRIDGE Outlines Jonathan Morelli’s “Picks and Shovels” AI Infrastructure Investment Strategy
-
Versus Trade Wins Best ECN/STP Broker APAC 2026, Marking Third UF Awards Recognition
-
Tech sell-off rolls on as hot inflation data stokes rate worries
-
Three dead as Istanbul sees heaviest rainfall in 80 years
-
McIlroy makes 'solid' start in rain-hit Delhi as Norgaard leads
-
US producer prices see biggest jump since 2022 in added challenge to Trump
-
Seven missing after fire on vessel in Black Sea off Romania
-
Swiatek avoids seed exodus to breeze into Wuhan last eight
-
'Severe drought' declared in parts of UK
-
PM condemns 'chaos' as violent protests grip Albania
-
IUX Announces New Web Client Portal Built for Enhanced Browser-Based Trading
ICC judges sue Trump over 'draconian' sanctions
Three International Criminal Court judges sanctioned by the United States filed a lawsuit Wednesday against President Donald Trump and other senior US officials, arguing the measures against them are unlawful.
In a New York court filing, judges Kimberly Prost of Canada, Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda and Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini-Gansou of Benin alleged the sanctions aimed to "exert extra-judicial pressure."
The Trump administration has imposed sanctions on at least 11 ICC officials, including the chief prosecutor, which consist of travel bans and asset freezes.
Many of the measures have been direct reprisals for investigations into key US ally Israel by the ICC, which in 2024 issued an arrest warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged war crimes.
Wednesday's lawsuit said the sanctions imposed on Prost, Bossa and Alapini-Gansou were aimed at "punishing them for prior judicial decisions and coercing them into prioritizing their private interests over deciding cases on the basis of the law and facts."
It added that the measures were "tantamount to the financial death penalty," as the judges are unable to use credit cards, access banking services and use online platforms like Amazon and Google.
"The imposition of such draconian sanctions on international judges is unprecedented," said the 66-page filing, which demands the sanctions be lifted.
Alongside Trump, the lawsuit names Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, and Bradley Smith, director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control.
The United States, Israel and Russia are among the countries that reject the ICC, which is backed by nearly all Western democracies.
The ICC was set up in 2002 as a court of last resort when countries do not have adequate legal systems to ensure accountability.
During Trump's first term, the United States also took action against the top ICC prosecutor in a successful attempt to block an investigation into alleged abuses during the US-led war in Afghanistan.
Former president Joe Biden's administration lifted the sanctions and sought limited cooperation with the court, especially over Ukraine.
D.AbuRida--SF-PST