Story perspectives

U.S. Sanctions ICC Officials Tomoko Akane, Abdoulaye Seye

8/20/2026

Summary

Story summary

The United States sanctioned ICC President Tomoko Akane (Japan) and trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye (Senegal) on August 18, 2026.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the officials directly engaged in ICC investigations without consent.
The International Criminal Court said the sanctions undermine the rule of law and court independence on August 18, 2026.
Japan’s foreign ministry called the sanctions unfortunate while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the ICC a kangaroo court on August 19, 2026.

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Story summary

The United States sanctioned ICC President Tomoko Akane (Japan) and trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye (Senegal) on August 18, 2026.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the officials directly engaged in ICC investigations without consent.
The International Criminal Court said the sanctions undermine the rule of law and court independence on August 18, 2026.
Japan’s foreign ministry called the sanctions unfortunate while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the ICC a kangaroo court on August 19, 2026.