US Sanctions Could Make ICC Operations 'Impossible', Lawyer Says

US sanctions targeting the International Criminal Court could make the tribunal's operations effectively impossible, according to lawyer Artur Gulasaryan, who warned the court risks losing access to US financial and technology services.

Gulasaryan explained that without special authorization from the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control, the ICC could be cut off from services that are widely considered essential to running any modern international institution, including banking and technology infrastructure often provided by US-based companies.

The ICC has faced sanctions pressure from the United States in recent years, particularly after the court pursued investigations and arrest warrants involving officials from countries including the US and its allies. Washington has long objected to the court's jurisdiction over nationals of countries, including the United States itself, that are not parties to the Rome Statute establishing the ICC.

The prospect of the ICC losing access to basic financial and technology services underscores the practical leverage sanctions can exert over international institutions that rely, directly or indirectly, on infrastructure provided by American firms. Such measures have previously drawn criticism from the court's supporters, who argue they undermine international justice mechanisms.

It remains unclear whether the ICC has sought or received any special authorization from OFAC to maintain access to affected services, and no response from the court or US officials regarding Gulasaryan's specific comments was included in the available report.