ICC staff feel banking strain
Deputy prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan reports that banks are over-complying with new US sanctions before the six-month deadline arrives.
By Kevin Iyer ·
Nazhat Shameem Khan, the deputy prosecutor at the International Criminal Court, stated on 24 October 2026 that court staff are already experiencing financial difficulties due to new United States sanctions. These measures were announced on 9 October by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who gave the court six months to negotiate a solution. Khan said that while the sanctions are not technically in force yet, banks are acting cautiously to minimize risk.
The timeline of the conflict began in November 2024 when the court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Galant. Since then, no further charges regarding the Gaza war have been made public. Khan explained that this silence is procedural, not a pause in work. A ruling earlier this year requires all warrant applications to remain secret until judges decide they can be revealed. She told The Guardian that investigations are moving forward even if it appears quiet from the outside.
Rubio labeled the ICC a rogue court in his announcement, declaring that either the institution would end its threats or the US would end the court. The six-month grace period ends in April 2027. Khan noted that the court is actively working to reduce its dependence on US systems. It is switching its software from Microsoft to European alternatives and negotiating with service providers regarding banking and health insurance.
Khan described the current banking issues as a result of institutions over-complying with the new rules. She explained that the sanctions target the institution, not individual staff members in principle. However, she acknowledged that employees are reporting problems with their accounts. Khan, who was among 13 staff members targeted by US sanctions in February 2025, said the lack of credit cards makes travel and daily transactions difficult.
The court is also dealing with internal changes. Formal investigations into sexual harassment allegations against former chief prosecutor Karim Khan began in late November 2024. He was removed from his position in July 2026 after a vote by member states. Khan is currently co-running the prosecutor's office pending the appointment of a new chief.
In response to Rubio's claim that the court wants to prosecute US citizens, Khan stated that no Americans have been brought before the court. She noted that if the reference is to Afghanistan, the current priority involves offenses committed by the Taliban and the Islamic State Khorasan. This month, the court's pretrial chamber unsealed four arrest warrants against Taliban members for gender persecution.
The European Parliament awarded the ICC its Sakharov prize for freedom of thought on 22 October 2026. The court's registrar is currently negotiating with the EU to block the sanctions or protect the court through other means. Khan called the prize an important message for staff, stating that the attention reflects the court's relevance to victims seeking justice.
