EU 'deeply regrets' US sanctions on ICC judges

The EU "deeply regrets" the US sanctions imposed on four judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC), the European Commission said on Friday, putting its full weight behind the Hague-based court.

"The ICC holds perpetrators of the world's gravest crimes to account and gives victims a voice," Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X. "It must be free to act without pressure."

"We deeply regret the decision to impose sanctions on four additional individuals," said commission spokesperson Anitta Hipper. "We will provide the full support and contribution to ensure the protection of the court and its staff." 

The sanctions were imposed on Thursday in part as a response to the ICC arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence minister, Yoav Gallant.

Two of the targeted judges, Beti Hohler of Slovenia and Reine Alapini-Gansou of Benin, took part in proceedings that led to the indictment of Netanyahu and Gallant in November.

The other two, Luz del Carmen Ibanez Carranza of Peru and Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda, took part in proceedings that led to a probe into allegations American forces committed war crimes in Afghanistan.

European Council chief Antonio Costa said the ICC "does not stand against nations - it stands against impunity." 

"We must protect its independence and integrity. The rule of law must prevail over the rule of power," Costa wrote on X.