US sanctions hit prosecutor who issued arrest warrant for Putin

The US sanctions list has been added to by an unexpected name — International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan has been included among those subject to restrictive measures. It was he who initiated the issuance of an arrest warrant for Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

According to Reuters, the decision on sanctions was made under an executive order by US President Donald Trump, although the document has not yet been officially published. Karim Khan has become the first representative of the international judicial system to be subjected to US economic restrictions.

The sanctions entail the freezing of all assets within the United States, as well as a ban on entry into the country for both the prosecutor himself and members of his family. Within the next 60 days, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, following consultations with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, is required to present a full list of individuals to whom the sanctions measures will apply.

Karim Khan has served as the ICC Prosecutor since 2021. It was he who on 1 March 2022 initiated an investigation into possible war crimes committed by Russia on the territory of Ukraine. Later, in March 2023, it was his request that led to the issuance of arrest warrants for Putin and Russian Commissioner for Children's Rights Maria Lvova-Belova in the case concerning the deportation of Ukrainian children.

In addition, on 20 May 2024, Khan sought the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and three Hamas leaders. This decision sparked heated debate in international circles and has now led to his inclusion in the US sanctions list.

The news of the introduction of restrictive measures against the ICC Prosecutor has already triggered numerous discussions in legal and political circles. The question remains open as to how this will affect the further work of the International Criminal Court and its investigations.