ICC Operations: Staff Report Banking Issues as US Measures Loom
Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan says investigations continue despite sanctions announced on 9 October by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
By Leila Reynolds ·
Nazhat Shameem Khan, the deputy prosecutor co-running the International Criminal Court's office, said some staff members are already facing banking obstacles. The United States sanctions responsible for these issues are not scheduled to take effect for six months. Khan said the sanctions target the institution, not its employees, yet some individuals are experiencing difficulties in banking.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the measures on 9 October, calling the ICC a "rogue court" and stating, "Either the ICC will end its threats, or we will end the ICC." He granted a six-month period for the court to negotiate and present a solution addressing Washington's concerns.
Khan said the sanctions have not reduced the court's output. "All the investigations across all situations continue," she said, adding that no decisions have been made to reduce capability due to the sanctions. She declined to predict the full impact once the measures take effect. The court is currently switching software from Microsoft to European alternatives and negotiating with providers regarding banking and health insurance.
Regarding the investigation into the Gaza war, Khan said that work has made progress since warrants were issued in November 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Galant. No new Gaza charges have been announced since late 2024. Khan explained that a court ruling earlier this year requires all charges and warrant applications to remain confidential until judges approve their release.
Khan, a Fijian national, previously faced sanctions imposed by the United States in February 2025 along with 13 other court staff members. She described the difficulty of operating without a credit card, noting that travel and other transactions become impossible in many parts of the world. She contrasted these inconveniences with the needs of victims visiting refugee camps and mass atrocity sites, stating, "We see the faces of our victims for whom sanctions and credit cards are completely irrelevant. They just want justice."
The office is dealing with other challenges as well. Investigations into sexual harassment allegations against former chief prosecutor Karim Khan began in late November 2024. The former official, who is not related to the deputy prosecutor, denied the charges and was removed in July following a member state vote. Regarding a recent claim by Secretary of State Rubio about experts wanting the ICC to prosecute American citizens, Khan said she did not know what he meant. She noted the court has not brought any Americans before it.
The ICC registrar is negotiating with the European Union regarding potential protection from the sanctions. On Thursday, the European Parliament awarded its Sakharov prize for freedom of thought to the court. Khan called the backing a very important message for the staff.
The six-month period granted by the United States began with the announcement on 9 October. The sanctions are scheduled to take effect six months after that date.
