The Hague, Aug. 19 -- The International Criminal Court has issued a stinging rebuke against the United States following Washington's imposition of sanctions against ICC President Judge Tomoko Akane and Senior Trial Lawyer Abdoulaye Seye, describing the actions as a direct threat to global justice.

Denouncing the latest designations, the tribunal highlighted that threatening judicial personnel directly jeopardises global justice mechanisms and leaves victims of war crimes vulnerable.

Calling the punitive measures a "flagrant attack against the independence of an impartial judicial institution," the ICC noted that the fresh designations bring the total number of US-sanctioned tribunal officials to half of its sitting bench.

"When judicia...