ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan speaks with Reuters during an interview in The Hague, Netherlands, on January 16, 2025. REUTERS
International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan has become the first individual to face economic and travel sanctions imposed by the United States. These sanctions were authorized by then-U.S. President Donald Trump in response to the ICC’s investigations into alleged war crimes involving American citizens and U.S. allies.
According to two sources familiar with the situation, Khan’s name appeared in a confidential annex attached to an executive order that Trump signed a day before the announcement. The British prosecutor was officially listed on Friday, although the annex had not yet been made public. One of the sources was a senior ICC official, while the other had been briefed by U.S. government representatives.
The Trump administration had long been critical of the ICC, particularly regarding its probes into the conduct of U.S. military personnel in Afghanistan and investigations related to Israel, a close American ally. Trump and his administration accused the ICC of overstepping its jurisdiction and attempting to prosecute individuals from countries that were not ICC members. The U.S. has never been a party to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC, and has consistently opposed efforts to investigate its nationals.
In 2020, the Trump administration issued an executive order allowing sanctions against ICC officials involved in what it deemed as illegitimate investigations. The order permitted freezing financial assets in the U.S. and banning travel to the country for targeted individuals. Trump officials argued that the ICC’s actions threatened U.S. sovereignty and the rights of its citizens.
The decision to impose sanctions on Khan is a major escalation in the long-standing tensions between Washington and the ICC. It sends a strong message to the court, discouraging further investigations that could implicate American personnel or allied nations. However, it also raises concerns among human rights groups and international legal experts who view the move as an attack on the independence of the ICC. Critics argue that the sanctions undermine global efforts to hold perpetrators of war crimes accountable.
Although the full details of Khan’s designation under the executive order have not yet been revealed, the move is expected to have significant consequences for his ability to carry out his duties as ICC prosecutor. The sanctions may limit his ability to travel internationally and restrict access to financial resources. It is unclear whether the Biden administration will maintain or lift the sanctions imposed by Trump.
The ICC, which is based in The Hague, Netherlands, was established in 2002 to prosecute individuals responsible for war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity. Despite facing opposition from major powers like the U.S., China, and Russia, the court continues its mission to deliver justice for victims of atrocities worldwide.
