The United States imposed sanctions on nine of the eighteen judges of the International Criminal Court.
Foreign AffairsInternational
- Omissions
- The exact moment the count reached nine judges is slightly imprecise: the ICC's own statement confirms 'nine of the eighteen Judges' and the last US round specifically targeting ICC judges was 18 December 2025, but one contemporaneous commentary (Opinio Juris, 19 December 2025) refers to 'eight judges and the three Prosecutors', suggesting the ninth judge may have been designated in that December round or in a later action.
- The claim frames the figure as 'last year' (2025); the sources confirm the figure but do not establish a single unambiguous designation date, and the US State Department lists a further action on 18 August 2026 (not explicitly described as targeting judges).
- The nine judges are only part of the sanctions: the US also designated both deputy prosecutors, the former Prosecutor and at least one staff member.
- Sources
- PrimaryInternational Criminal Court (ICC) — 'The ICC strongly rejects new US sanctions designations'As a result of these designations, at present, nine of the eighteen Judges, both of the two Deputy-Prosecutors, the former Prosecutor and one staff member...
- PrimaryOHCHR (UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights) — 'USA: UN expert demands withdrawal of sanctions against ICC judges'The latest round of designations on 18 December 2025, brings the total number of sanctioned ICC prosecutors and judges to 11*.
- SecondaryJust Security — 'New International Criminal Court Sanctions and the Threat to US Democracy'With these designations, the United States has now sanctioned nine of the ICC's 18 judges, both deputy prosecutors, and the Court's former chief...
- SecondaryThe Hill — 'ICC rips latest US sanctions on senior staff: Flagrant attack'As a result of these designations, at present, nine of the eighteen Judges, both of the two Deputy-Prosecutors, the former Prosecutor and one...
- SecondaryOpinio Juris — 'US Sanctions Against the ICC: From Stupor to Action'The eight judges and the three Prosecutors appear quite alone in facing the sanctions imposed on them