ICC condemns Rubio’s sanctions targeting court president and prosecutor

Published August 19, 2026 2:01pm ET | Updated August 19, 2026 2:01pm ET



The International Criminal Court and leaders around the world are condemning the Trump administration’s decision to sanction the court’s president and a senior trial lawyer.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced sanctions against ICC President Tomoko Akane, of Japan, and Senior Trial Lawyer Abdoulaye Seye, of Senegal, on Wednesday. The measures are part of a broader administration effort to “systematically dismantle the ICC until it is incapable of threatening American sovereignty.”

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