UN chief voices grave concern over US sanctions on top ICC officials

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is seriously concerned by the imposition of US sanctions against two top officials of the International Criminal Court (ICC), said his spokesperson on Wednesday.

"We've seen the announcement by the United States regarding the imposition of sanctions on the International Criminal Court president, Tomoko Akane, as well as senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye," said Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson.

"The secretary-general expresses serious concern about this designation, as well as the ongoing designation of other International Criminal Court employees," said the spokesperson.

While the United Nations and the ICC are separate institutions with separate and distinct mandates, the United Nations considers the ICC a key pillar of international criminal justice, and the UN secretary-general very much respects the ICC's work, he said.