NEW YORK: Three International Criminal Court judges sanctioned by the United States have filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump and senior US officials, arguing that the measures imposed on them are unlawful.
Judges Kimberly Prost of Canada, Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda and Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini-Gansou of Benin filed the case in a New York court on Wednesday.
Judges challenge sanctions
The judges said the sanctions were aimed at exerting pressure over their judicial work and punishing them for previous decisions.
According to the court filing, the measures were intended to influence how they decide cases and push them to prioritise personal interests over law and facts.
The lawsuit described the sanctions as unprecedented and said they had severely affected the judges’ financial lives, including access to banking services, credit cards and online platforms.
United States action against court
The Trump administration has imposed sanctions on at least 11 International Criminal Court officials, including the chief prosecutor. The measures include travel bans and asset freezes.
Several sanctions have been linked to the court’s investigations involving Israel, a key United States ally.
The lawsuit also names Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Bradley Smith, director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control.
The International Criminal Court was established in 2002 to prosecute serious crimes when national legal systems are unable or unwilling to act.
