Overview
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced measures against appellate judges Gochi Lordkipanidze of Georgia and Erdenebalsuren Damdin of Mongolia under Executive Order 14203.
- The State Department linked the action to the judges’ Dec. 15 votes against Israel’s appeal and to their roles in efforts to pursue Israeli nationals without Israel’s consent.
- With the new listings, U.S. restrictions now cover 11 ICC officials, including Prosecutor Karim Khan.
- The International Criminal Court said it firmly rejects the sanctions, describing them as a blatant attack on judicial independence that threatens the international rule of law.
- The Assembly of States Parties expressed deep concern that the step could impede investigations and reaffirmed solidarity with the court’s mandate under the Rome Statute.