US imposes sanctions on ICC hours after its former judge receives Nobel Peace Prize

US President Donald Trump's administration imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Friday, just hours after one of its former judges, Navi Pillay, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

According to Reuters, cited by Report, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the decision had been taken by the Trump administration.

"President Trump will never allow the International Criminal Court to prosecute Americans," he said.

According to Rubio, Washington intends to prohibit transactions with the ICC and restrict its resources and ability to continue operating.

The new measures are significantly broader than the individual sanctions previously imposed on ICC prosecutors and judges, as the court itself is now subject to restrictions. Companies that continue providing services to it could also face consequences.

The decision came just hours after the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to South African human rights activist and lawyer Navi Pillay. She served as a judge in the ICC Appeals Chamber from 2003 to 2008.

Rubio said the sanctions had been designed to give the ICC and its member states an opportunity to address US concerns.

A senior State Department official told the agency that the US Treasury Department would issue several licences to protect American interests. These are believed to involve temporary exemptions from certain restrictions.

US sanctions of this kind generally prohibit companies registered in the United States from doing business with sanctioned entities. This can lead to bank accounts being closed, insurance coverage being withdrawn and software services being suspended.