ICC Deputy Prosecutor Reports Continued Case Progress Amid US Sanctions Pressure

Nazhat Shameem Khan, the deputy prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, confirmed that the institution is maintaining its investigative momentum despite the implementation of new sanctions by the United States. Khan, who is currently co-managing the prosecutor's office while a permanent chief prosecutor is selected, stated that significant progress has been made in key cases, including the investigation into the war in Gaza. She emphasized that the court has not reduced its output or capability in response to the external pressure from Washington.

The sanctions were announced on October 9 by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Rubio, who has frequently criticized the ICC, labeled it a rogue court and issued a stark ultimatum. He declared that either the court would end its threats or the United States would end the court. Rubio granted the institution a six-month grace period to negotiate a solution to address American concerns, although the specific requirements for satisfaction remain undefined.

Khan noted that while no new charges regarding Gaza have been publicly announced since late 2024, this silence is procedural rather than indicative of stagnation. The court ruled earlier this year that all warrant applications and charges must remain confidential until judges determine they can be released to the public. Khan explained that even if an investigation reaches an imminent stage, the team may be unable to discuss it openly. She assured that there is significant progress in the Gaza situation and other active cases, despite the appearance of inactivity.

The financial impact of the sanctions is already being felt by court staff, even though the measures are not scheduled to take full effect until six months after their announcement. Khan described banks as over-complying to minimize risk while the scope of the sanctions remains uncertain. Although the measures are imposed on the institution rather than individuals, she reported that some staff members are experiencing difficulties with banking services. This early friction is creating logistical hurdles for the court's daily operations.

To mitigate the impact of the hostile administration in Washington, the court is actively working to insulate its operations. The institution is switching its software from Microsoft to European alternatives and is in negotiations with service providers regarding banking and health insurance. Khan acknowledged that it is impossible to predict the full impact once the measures officially take effect, but she stressed that all investigations across all situations are continuing without interruption.

Khan has personal experience with these measures, as she was among 13 ICC staff targeted by the US in February 2025. She described the inconvenience of life without a credit card, noting how many global transactions, particularly travel, now require one. However, she placed this personal difficulty in perspective by referencing her visits to refugee camps and sites of mass atrocities. She stated that for the victims, sanctions are irrelevant, and their primary desire is for justice.

The prosecutor's office faces disruptions beyond American sanctions. Formal investigations into allegations of sexual harassment against former chief prosecutor Karim Khan began in late November 2024. The British jurist, who is not related to the deputy prosecutor, denied the charges and was removed from his post in July of this year following a vote by member states. This internal restructuring has added to the administrative workload of the office.

Secretary of State Rubio claimed this month that globalist experts an ocean away wanted the ICC to prosecute US citizens, a statement Khan said lacked evidence. She noted that the court has not brought any Americans before it. If the reference is to the Afghanistan case, the priority is on offenses committed against women and girls by the Taliban and Islamic State Khorasan. This month, the court's pretrial chamber unsealed four arrest warrants against Taliban members for gender persecution.

The ICC registrar is currently negotiating with the European Union to block the sanctions or protect the court through other means. On Thursday, the European Parliament awarded its Sakharov prize for freedom of thought to the court and its officials. Khan called this backing a vital message for the staff. She stated that the high level of attention reflects the court's relevance, providing a necessary avenue of justice for victims who have nowhere else to turn and wish to bypass political barriers.