ICC Deputy Prosecutor Reports Major Case Gains Despite New US Financial Pressure

The International Criminal Court is moving forward with its caseloads at a rapid pace, according to the deputy prosecutor who is currently leading the office. Nazhat Shameem Khan stated that significant strides have been made in key investigations, including the probe into the war in Gaza. This update comes as the court navigates a new round of financial restrictions imposed by the United States government.

The latest measures were announced on October 9 by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He labeled the ICC a rogue entity and issued a strong warning. Rubio declared that the court must stop its threats or face an end to its operations. He provided a six month window for the court to negotiate a solution that satisfies Washington. However, officials remain uncertain about the specific demands the US administration expects to be met.

Khan, who is sharing duties with the prosecutor's office until a new chief is appointed, highlighted the progress since November 2024. That is when arrest warrants were issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Galant. No new charges regarding Gaza have been publicly announced since late 2024. Khan explained that this silence is due to a ruling from earlier this year. Judges determined that all warrant applications must remain confidential until they decide to release them to the public.

Khan noted that the public may perceive a lack of activity, but the work continues behind closed doors. She assured reporters that substantial progress is occurring in the Gaza investigation and other situations. Even when investigations near a critical stage, the team may be unable to discuss developments openly. This procedural requirement keeps much of the work out of the spotlight.

Financial friction is already affecting court personnel. Some staff members are encountering difficulties with banking services. These sanctions are not set to take full effect until six months after their announcement. Banks are taking a cautious approach to minimize risk while the scope of the measures remains unclear. Khan described this behavior as over-compliance. She noted that while the sanctions target institutions, individual employees are feeling the direct impact on their accounts.

The court is taking steps to reduce its dependence on American services. It is switching its software from Microsoft to European alternatives. Negotiations are also underway with service providers regarding banking and health insurance coverage. Khan insisted that no decisions have been made to reduce the court's capacity or output based on these sanctions. However, she acknowledged that it is impossible to predict the full impact once the measures become official.

Khan has personal experience with these types of restrictions. She was one of thirteen ICC staff targeted by the US in February 2025. She described the inconvenience of living without a credit card, noting how essential it is for travel and daily transactions. She added that the challenge is manageable when viewed against the backdrop of refugee camps and sites of mass atrocities. She emphasized that the victims they serve care less about credit cards and more about receiving justice.

The prosecutor's office faces other internal challenges as well. Formal investigations into allegations of sexual harassment against former chief prosecutor Karim Khan began in late November 2024. The British jurist, who is not related to the current deputy prosecutor, denied the charges. He was removed from his post in July following a vote by member states. This transition has added a layer of complexity to the court's operations during a period of external pressure.

Secretary of State Rubio recently claimed that globalist experts wanted the ICC to prosecute US citizens. Khan said it was unclear what he intended with that statement. She noted that the court has not brought any Americans before its judges. If the reference was to Afghanistan, she explained that the priority lies with offenses committed against women and girls by the Taliban and the Islamic State Khorasan. This month, the court unsealed four arrest warrants against Taliban members for gender persecution.

The court is also seeking support from European partners. The ICC registrar is negotiating with the EU to block the sanctions or protect the institution in other ways. On Thursday, the European parliament awarded its Sakharov prize for freedom of thought to the court and its officials. Khan called this backing a vital message for her staff. She stated that the high level of attention reflects the court's relevance to victims who have nowhere else to turn for justice.