EU leaders voice support for ICC after new US sanctions

The presidents of the European Council and European Commission expressed solidarity Wednesday with the International Criminal Court (ICC) after the US imposed sanctions on the court's president and a senior lawyer in its prosecutor's office.

European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen posted statements on US social media company X, saying they stand firmly with the ICC, its President Tomoko Akane, and court officials.

"The ICC helps deliver justice to the victims of some of the world's most horrific crimes. To carry out this essential work, its judges and officials must be able to act independently and without external pressure," they both said.

The latest sanctions target Akane, a Japanese national, and Abdoulaye Seye of Senegal, a senior trial lawyer in the Office of the Prosecutor, the Hague-based court said in a statement.

The measures are part of sanctions against the ICC imposed by US President Donald Trump in February 2025.

Earlier Wednesday, the ICC strongly rejected the new US sanctions, describing them as "flagrant attacks" on judicial independence.

The court added that nine of its 18 judges, both deputy prosecutors, its former prosecutor, and one staff member are currently under US sanctions. ​​​​​​​