403
Sorry!!
Error! We're sorry, but the page you were looking for doesn't exist.
ICC President Pledges to Carry on Despite US Sanctions
(MENAFN) International Criminal Court (ICC) President Tomoko Akane vows to remain committed to her duties despite sanctions imposed by the United States on her and the Hague-based court.
Speaking remotely at an event in Tokyo on Sunday, Akane, who is Japanese, says she remains "firm" in her conviction and intends to continue her work "no matter what."
The US imposed sanctions last month on Akane and another ICC official, Abdoulaye Seye, as Washington stepped up its pressure on the international court.
The measures follow the ICC’s decision in November 2024 to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes in Gaza.
Akane has served as ICC president since 2024, while Seye is a Senegalese national. Both officials were placed on the US Treasury Department’s Specially Designated Nationals List.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused the two officials of "directly" participating in ICC efforts to "investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute officials whose government has not consented to ICC jurisdiction."
Japan expresses concern over the sanctions against Akane and describes the US decision as "very unfortunate."
"Japan has consistently supported the ICC, which is a permanent international criminal court, in its efforts to prosecute and punish the most serious crimes of concern to the international community and to uphold the rule of law. From this standpoint, the announced measures are very unfortunate," Japan's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Toshihiro Kitamura said earlier.
Speaking remotely at an event in Tokyo on Sunday, Akane, who is Japanese, says she remains "firm" in her conviction and intends to continue her work "no matter what."
The US imposed sanctions last month on Akane and another ICC official, Abdoulaye Seye, as Washington stepped up its pressure on the international court.
The measures follow the ICC’s decision in November 2024 to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes in Gaza.
Akane has served as ICC president since 2024, while Seye is a Senegalese national. Both officials were placed on the US Treasury Department’s Specially Designated Nationals List.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused the two officials of "directly" participating in ICC efforts to "investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute officials whose government has not consented to ICC jurisdiction."
Japan expresses concern over the sanctions against Akane and describes the US decision as "very unfortunate."
"Japan has consistently supported the ICC, which is a permanent international criminal court, in its efforts to prosecute and punish the most serious crimes of concern to the international community and to uphold the rule of law. From this standpoint, the announced measures are very unfortunate," Japan's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Toshihiro Kitamura said earlier.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any
responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos,
licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues
related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Comments
No comment