US sanctions ICC right after Navi Pillay wins Nobel

The administration of US President Donald Trump has imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) just hours after the announcement of the Nobel Peace Prize. The move on Friday, October 9, has raised fears of further diplomatic conflict between the United States and its European allies.

The information was reported by the news agency Reuters.

According to the report, former ICC judge and South African legal expert Navi Pillay received the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday. The prize was awarded in recognition of her contribution to international criminal justice. She served as a judge in the ICC's Appeals Division from 2003 to 2008.

On the other hand, the Trump administration has long been opposing the ICC's activities. Washington had earlier imposed sanctions on the court's prosecutors and judges. Under the latest move, punitive measures may also be taken against institutions that provide various services to the court.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement that President Trump will never allow the ICC to try American citizens. That is why the United States is imposing sanctions on the court, he said. He also said transactions with the court will be stopped to limit its ability to manage its assets and operations.

The Reuters report said the United States has long been angered by the ICC's issuance of arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials of the country. Washington also objected to a court investigation into the actions of US soldiers in Afghanistan. The ICC later shut down that investigation.