ICC president warns of threats to war crimes tribunal's future

The president of the International Criminal Court (ICC) warned that the tribunal's existence is threatened by potential U.S. sanctions and Russian arrest warrants against its staff. Judge Tomoko Akane highlighted these issues at an annual conference of ICC member states. Russia issued an arrest warrant for ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan after the court charged President Vladimir Putin. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill in June to sanction the ICC following Khan's request for an arrest warrant against Israeli leaders. Akane stated that the ICC faces attacks on its legitimacy and independence. She emphasized the court's commitment to operate under the law, despite external pressures and threats.