International World Criminal Court: pressure from USA and Russia dangerous

The President of the International Criminal Court, Tomoko Akane, has accused the USA and Russia of threatening the existence of the court. The attacks were aimed at undermining its legitimacy and ability to function, the judge said in The Hague at the start of the annual conference of the court's states parties. The President of the Court spoke of "coercive measures, threats, pressure and sabotage".

Pressure on the court had increased considerably following the issuing of arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Joaf Galant. In the USA, leading Republicans had threatened sanctions against the court.

Judge Akane spoke of the threat of "draconian economic sanctions" from the USA, as if the court were a "terrorist organization". These measures would jeopardize all investigations and endanger the existence of the court. "We firmly reject any attempt to influence the independence and impartiality of the court," said the President.

An arrest warrant had also been issued against Russian President Vladimir Putin for alleged crimes in the Ukraine war. Russia then issued arrest warrants for Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan and other members of the court. The USA and Russia are not parties to the treaty.

SDA