ICC Staff Face Banking Issues

Staff at the International Criminal Court are already feeling the effects of new US sanctions on their personal finances. Nazhat Shameem Khan, the deputy prosecutor, said some colleagues are encountering difficulties with banks even though the official measures do not take full effect for six months. She described the situation as banks engaging in over-compliance to minimize their own risk while the scope of the sanctions remains unclear.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the sanctions on October 9. He labeled the ICC a rogue court and issued a warning that either the court would end its threats or the US would end the court. Rubio gave the institution a six-month grace period to negotiate a solution to Washington's concerns. It is not yet clear what specific terms would satisfy the US administration.

Khan is currently co-running the prosecutor's office while the court seeks a new chief. She stated that investigations, including the probe into the Gaza war, have made substantial progress since arrest warrants were issued in November 2024. Those warrants target Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Galant. No new charges related to Gaza have been announced since late 2024. Khan explained that the court ruled earlier this year that all charges and warrant applications must remain secret until judges approve their public release.

Even if investigations reach a stage where indictments appear imminent, the team may not discuss them publicly, Khan said. She assured that while there might be an appearance of inactivity, significant progress is occurring in the Gaza situation and other cases. The court is also taking steps to reduce its reliance on US infrastructure. It is switching software from Microsoft to European alternatives and negotiating new agreements for banking and health insurance services.

Khan noted that all investigations continue across all situations. The office has not made decisions to reduce its capability or output based on the sanctions, though she acknowledged it is impossible to anticipate the full impact once the measures officially take effect. Khan herself was among 13 ICC staff targeted by US sanctions in February 2025. She described life without a credit card as inconvenient, particularly for travel, but said visits to refugee camps put that inconvenience into perspective.

The prosecutor's office faces other disruptions as well. Formal investigations began in late November 2024 into allegations of sexual harassment against former chief prosecutor Karim Khan. The British jurist denied the charges and was removed from his position in July following a vote by member states. In a separate matter, the court's pretrial chamber unsealed four arrest warrants this month against Taliban members. These warrants charge them with gender persecution in Afghanistan.

Rubio claimed this month that globalist experts wanted the ICC to prosecute US citizens, though he offered no evidence. Khan said it was unclear what he meant, noting that the court has not brought any Americans before it. She added that if the reference was to Afghanistan, the priority there is offenses committed against women, girls, and other vulnerable groups by the Taliban and the Islamic State Khorasan.

The ICC registrar is currently negotiating with the European Union over blocking the sanctions or protecting the court through other means. On Thursday, the European Parliament awarded its Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to the court and its officials. Khan called this backing a very important message for the staff. She said the high level of attention reflects the relevance of the court, which provides an avenue of justice for victims who want to cut past politics and have their voices heard.