World · Europe · 17 hrs ago
ICC deputy president warns US sanctions could disrupt the court
Rosario Aitala, the deputy president of the International Criminal Court, says US sanctions against the court and its judges could stop it from working.
He says some sanctioned colleagues have lost access to bank accounts, credit cards, insurance and online services.
Aitala has worked on cases involving alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in countries including Ukraine and Afghanistan.
He says the court is not investigating US citizens.
The current Afghanistan case concerns alleged persecution of girls, women and other people after the Taliban returned to power, and four arrest warrants for Taliban leaders were made public last week.
Aitala says protecting the court also protects the sovereignty of states and helps prevent victims of atrocities from being forgotten.
He criticizes the European Commission for not yet using available measures to protect the court, while EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has promised strong support.
ICC deputy president Rosario Aitala warned that US sanctions could disrupt the court and prevent judges from carrying out public and private activities.
Aitala said sanctions have already affected some colleagues, including through revoked credit cards, closed bank accounts and restrictions on travel bookings.
He said the court was not investigating US citizens and that no such investigations were anticipated.
Aitala urged states to protect the court, saying this was necessary to protect their sovereignty.
He criticized the European Commission for not using available measures to protect the court, Europeans and European businesses.
- Who
- Rosario Aitala, deputy president of the International Criminal Court, warned about the sanctions.
- What
- He said US sanctions could disrupt the court and restrict judges’ activities.
- When
- In an interview published on October 11, 2026.
- Where
- The warning concerns the International Criminal Court; Aitala did not state where he gave the interview.
- Why
- Aitala said the sanctions could prevent the court from functioning and silence its judges.
International Criminal Court
United States
Sanctions
International Criminal Court
Aitala said US sanctions could disrupt the court and restrict judges’ activities.
United States
Secretary of State Rubio said the court threatens the United States.
US investigations
International Criminal Court
Aitala said the court was not investigating US citizens and that no such investigations were anticipated.
United States
Not stated
The sanctions announced by the United States can block the functioning of the Court and prevent judges from carrying out any public or private activity.
For many of us, this is already happening.
We are being treated with the same methods reserved for terrorists.
There are no investigations into US citizens, nor are any expected.
The ICC did not authorize the prosecutor’s requested investigations in Afghanistan because legal requirements were not met, Aitala said.
The court made public four arrest warrants against Taliban leaders, according to Aitala.
Corriere della Sera published its interview with Aitala about the possible effects of US sanctions.
- Interviewee
- Rosario Aitala, ICC deputy president
- Sanctions’ possible effect
- Could block the court’s functioning
- Affected colleagues
- Aitala said sanctions had affected half of his colleagues who were sanctioned
- Afghanistan investigations
- The ICC did not authorize the prosecutor’s request in 2018
- Arrest warrants
- Four against Taliban leaders, made public the week before the interview
Sources
Related news
Trump says Russia and Ukraine agreed to energy ceasefire
Zelensky says Ukraine can hold elections after a 60-day ceasefire
Experts say Russian diesel deal unlikely to lower US fuel prices
US reportedly threatens Ukraine weapons procurement over strikes on Russian energy sites
Trump announces energy ceasefire, but Ukraine says it was not consulted
UK prime minister says Russia interfered in 2016 Brexit vote
Object feared to be sea mine on Scheveningen beach was harmless steel ball
Trump calls for Ukraine to replace Zelenskyy over Russian diesel deal
Russian strikes hit Ukrainian energy sites after Trump ceasefire claim
Drone strikes damage two Yandex data centers in Russia
Thieves steal 30,000 bottles of wine from Tuscan winery
