ICC head intends to resist U.S. pressure after sanctions imposed

President of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Tomoko Akane stated that she will resist U.S. pressure after Washington imposed personal sanctions against her and other representatives of the organization.

This was reported by the Kyodo news agency.

"The U.S. has no grounds whatsoever for imposing sanctions against me," Akane said. The head of the organization called on ICC member states, including Japan, to provide support to the court. She added that "the ICC must not be dismantled."

Earlier, the press service of the U.S. State Department released a statement by Secretary of State Marco Rubio announcing the imposition of sanctions against Akane and senior prosecutor Abdoulaye Seye. Japan, for its part, expressed deep regret over the decision to impose sanctions on Akane. Commenting on the decision of the American authorities, the ICC expressed confidence that it undermines the rule of law and endangers the international legal order.