‘Financial death penalty’: How US sanctions are upending the lives of ICC judges
Three International Criminal Court judges from Canada, Uganda, and Benin have filed a lawsuit in a New York federal court against Donald Trump. They allege that sanctions imposed under Executive Order 14203 have frozen their bank accounts and stripped them of health insurance. The judges claim these measures are intended to punish judicial decisions and pressure the court.
What changed
ICC judges have filed a formal legal complaint in Manhattan to challenge US sanctions.
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Three ICC Judges Sue Trump Administration Over "Financial Death Penalty" Sanctions
confidence 90%Three International Criminal Court judges from Canada, Uganda, and Benin have filed a lawsuit in a New York federal court against Donald Trump. They allege that sanctions imposed under Executive Order 14203 have frozen their bank accounts and stripped them of health insurance. The judges claim these measures are intended to punish judicial decisions and pressure the court.
What's confirmed:
- Three ICC judges from Canada, Uganda, and Benin sued Donald Trump and his administration in a New York court.
- The sanctions were imposed under Executive Order 14203, signed by President Donald Trump in February 2025.
- The affected judges have lost access to health insurance and bank accounts.
- The judges describe the sanctions as a "financial death penalty" designed to pressure the court and punish judicial decisions.
Still unconfirmed:
- The sanctions are linked to a warrant for Netanyahu.
- The sanctions target investigations into Afghanistan and Palestine.
- A judge from Benin is unable to use her credit card.