Trump plans on imposing sanctions on ICC prosecutor

(MENAFN) US President Donald trump has sanctioned International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan, making him the first individual targeted under Trump's executive order aimed at the court, according to Reuters. The sanctions, which include asset freezes and travel bans, were authorized by Trump after the ICC launched investigations into alleged war crimes committed by US citizens and allies, such as Israel.

Khan, who became the ICC prosecutor in 2021, previously led investigations into Daesh/ISIS crimes in Iraq and worked with various international tribunals. As part of his role, he had the right to travel to the US to brief the UN Security Council on cases referred to the ICC, including investigations on Libya and Sudan. However, this agreement may be impacted by the new sanctions.

Under Trump's executive order, officials of the ICC investigating US and allied war crimes can face sanctions, including restrictions on assets and travel. The US has long opposed the court's jurisdiction over its citizens, as well as those of Israel, neither of which are signatories to the Rome Statute that established the ICC.

The sanctions come amid Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington, where he expressed support for the US measures. The ICC had previously issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes related to Gaza. The ICC has condemned the sanctions, stressing the importance of independent international criminal law.

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