ICC president warns of threats to court's existence from US and Russia

The president of the International Criminal Court (ICC) warned that threats from the U.S. and Russia could endanger the court's existence. Judge Tomoko Akane highlighted possible U.S. sanctions and Russian arrest warrants against staff as significant challenges. At an annual conference, ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan noted unprecedented pressures on the court. He mentioned that Russia issued an arrest warrant for him after the ICC charged President Vladimir Putin with war crimes. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to sanction the ICC over its actions against Israeli leaders. Akane stated that the court rejects any attempts to influence its independence and will continue to operate under the law.