ICC president criticizes US and Russia for threats against court operations

The president of the International Criminal Court, Judge Tomoko Akane, criticized the U.S. and Russia for threatening the court's operations. She described recent attacks as "appalling" during the court's annual meeting, highlighting U.S. sanctions threats and Russian arrest warrants against court officials. U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham called the ICC a "dangerous joke" after the court issued arrest warrants for Israeli leaders. In contrast, the U.S. previously supported an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin, which President Biden deemed justified. The ICC faces internal challenges, including allegations against its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan. The court is also under scrutiny for its effectiveness, as many high-profile suspects remain at large despite recent arrest warrants.