U.S. Sanctions Target ICC President and Senior Trial Lawyer Amid Escalating Campaign

On August 18 2026, the United States announced sanctions against Tomoko Akane, the Japanese president of the International Criminal Court (ICC), and Abdoulaye Seye, a senior trial lawyer from Senegal. The designations freeze any U.S.-based assets, bar entry to the United States, and prohibit U.S. persons from conducting transactions with the two officials. The measures are part of a broader “whole-of-government” effort by the Trump administration to curtail the ICC’s activities that Washington says threaten American sovereignty.

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The ICC, founded in 2002 under the Rome Statute, prosecutes genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity in its 125 member states. The United States has never ratified the treaty and has repeatedly challenged the court’s jurisdiction over U.S. personnel and its investigations of Israel. In November 2024 the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant, prompting the Trump administration to expand sanctions against ICC officials. Earlier executive actions in 2025 authorized sanctions against the court’s chief prosecutor and several judges, a pattern that continues with the latest designations.

US imposes sanctions on International Criminal Court president, Tomoko Akane of Japan Middle East EyeBBC NewsThe GuardianUS sanctions top ICC officials and vows to ‘dismantle’ court RTE (Radio Television of Ireland)The Epoch TimesU.S. Sanctions ICC President Tomoko Akane Over Israel, U.S. Investigations

• Sanctioned individuals: 2 (Akane and Seye).

Tokyo calls US sanctions on Japanese chief of ICC 'very unfortunate'

• Total ICC officials under U.S. sanctions: reports vary between 9, 11 and 13 of the court’s 18 judges.

Reuters

• ICC composition: 18 judges, 125 member states, headquartered in The Hague.

The Hindu

• Sanctions effective date: transactions involving the two officials must be wound down by September 17.

US Sanctions ICC President, Senior Trial Lawyer in Latest Attack on Court

Japan’s foreign ministry called the sanctions “very unfortunate,” emphasizing its long-standing support for the ICC. Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen said “international courts and tribunals must be able to freely carry out their mandates” and invited President Akane to discuss continued Dutch support for the court.

The Jerusalem Post

Japanese officials expressed disappointment, noting the United States is a key security ally yet “very unfortunate” to target a Japanese national serving as ICC president. Dutch officials warned that most international banks are tied to the U.S. financial system and may sever ties with sanctioned individuals. Israeli officials welcomed the move, calling the ICC a “kangaroo court,” while Palestinian advocates warned the sanctions could impede accountability for alleged war crimes in Gaza.

The Guardian

Sources differ on the total number of ICC officials currently sanctioned: Reuters cites 13 staff members, including nine judges; The Hill mentions “at least 11” officials; other outlets report “nine of the eighteen judges.” No source provides a definitive, up-to-date list, leaving the exact scope unclear. While the U.S. cites threats to American personnel, the ICC and several allies dispute the legal basis for the sanctions, and no independent assessment of the sanctions’ impact on the court’s operations has been published.

The Hill