ICC president criticizes US and Russia for undermining court's authority

The president of the International Criminal Court (ICC) criticized the US and Russia for interfering with its work and threatening its judges. This statement came during the ICC's annual meeting, where concerns about the court's effectiveness were raised. ICC President Tomoko Akane highlighted the pressure the court faces, particularly regarding arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin. She noted that international law is under threat from these actions. The US has denounced the ICC's warrant for Netanyahu, with some lawmakers calling for sanctions against the court. Meanwhile, Russia has retaliated by issuing an arrest order against the ICC's chief prosecutor. The ICC continues to struggle with a lack of pending trials and many wanted individuals still at large.