US imposes sanctions on ICC officials over probe into war crimes in Afghanistan
The United States has imposed sanctions on senior officials in the International Criminal Court (ICC).
ICC Chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda was among those sanctioned Wednesday, as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused the Hague-based court of "illegitimate attempts to subject Americans to its jurisdiction."
"Today we take the next step, because the ICC continues to target Americans, sadly," Pompeo told the reporters during his weekly briefing. "Individuals and entities that continue to support those individuals risk exposure to sanctions as well."
Back in June, US President Donald Trump issued an executive order to block all American property and assets of anyone in the ICC involved in the probe.
Following the order, the rights activists slammed the US president, saying that his order "demonstrates contempt for the global rule of law."
In 2006, the ICC's prosecutors opened a preliminary probe into war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the Asian nation since 2003.
In 2017, Bensouda asked judges to allow a full-blown probe, not only into Taliban and Afghan government personnel but also international forces, US troops and members of the CIA.
Bensouda's move angered Washington to revoke in April last year the Gambian-born chief prosecutor's visa as part of broader restrictions on ICC staff probing American or allied personnel.
Former US national security adviser John Bolton also warned in 2018 that the US would arrest ICC judges if the court pursued an Afghan probe.
The US invaded Afghanistan to overthrow a ruling Taliban regime in 2001. American forces have since remained bogged down in the country through the presidencies of George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump.
About 2,400 US soldiers have been killed, along with unknown tens of thousands of Afghan troops, Taliban militants and Afghan civilians.
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