ICC president criticizes US and Russia for threats against court investigations

The president of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Judge Tomoko Akane, criticized the U.S. and Russia for threatening the court's investigations. She described recent attacks as "appalling" during the ICC's annual meeting, highlighting U.S. sanctions threats against the court. U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham called the ICC a "dangerous joke" after the court issued arrest warrants for Israeli leaders. In response, Russia has issued warrants for ICC officials, including chief prosecutor Karim Khan, amid ongoing investigations into war crimes. The ICC faces challenges in enforcing arrest warrants, as many member states have shown reluctance to act. The court is also dealing with internal allegations against Khan, which will be investigated, adding to the institution's ongoing difficulties.