MADRID, Dec 19 (KUNA) -- Spain strongly condemned the announcement of new sanctions adopted by the United States against two judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC), alleging their direct involvement in politically motivated and illegal actions against the Israeli occupation.
In a statement on Friday, Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that these sanctions represent a new attack on the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the ICC.
The court plays an indispensable role in ensuring accountability for the most serious crimes against humanity and in contributing to the reparation of victims, the statement added.
Spain reaffirmed its unequivocal support for the court and expressed its full solidarity with the judges, prosecutors and all ICC staff affected by these decisions.
Spain will continue to fully comply with its commitments under the Rome Statute and international law, respecting and guaranteeing the full exercise of the jurisdiction of the court, the statement added.
The reaction followed Washington's announcement on Thursday of sanctions against ICC judges Gocha Lordkipanidze and Erdenebalsuren Damdin.
According to the US statement, the two judges voted with the majority earlier this week to reject Israeli occupation appeal seeking to block an ongoing ICC probe into possible war crimes in Gaza, a move the court said constituted a flagrant attack on the independence of an international judicial body. (end) hnd.ao