ICC Deputy Prosecutor Reports Staff Banking Strains as US Sanctions Bite

The International Criminal Court is facing new financial friction as US sanctions begin to affect staff accounts. Nazhat Shameem Khan, the deputy prosecutor, said the measures are already causing banking difficulties for some employees. She stated that the court’s investigations have not slowed down.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the sanctions on 9 October. He called the ICC a "rogue court" and gave it six months to propose a solution. Rubio said the US would either end its threats or end the ICC itself.

The sanctions are not due to take full effect until six months from their announcement. Khan explained that banks are acting cautiously to minimize risk. She described them as "over-complying" while the scope of the measures remains unclear. This caution is creating problems for individual staff members.

Khan said that some staff are experiencing difficulties with banking services. She noted that the sanctions are imposed on the institution in principle, not on individuals. However, the practical impact is reaching employees directly.

The court is working to insulate itself from the US administration. It is switching its software from Microsoft to European alternatives. The ICC is also negotiating with service providers for banking and health insurance.

Khan said all investigations across all situations continue. She confirmed that the court has not reduced its capability or output based on the sanctions. She acknowledged it is impossible to anticipate the full impact once the measures officially take effect.

Khan was among 13 ICC staff first targeted by the US in February 2025. She said life without a credit card is inconvenient. She added that her inconvenience is put into perspective by visits to refugee camps and sites of mass atrocities.

The ICC registrar is negotiating with the EU over blocking the sanctions. On Thursday, the European Parliament awarded the Sakharov prize for freedom of thought to the court and its officials. Khan called the backing a very important message for the staff.