French ICC Judge Nicolas Guillou Says US Sanctions Have Left Him “Economically Banned” Across Much Of The World (Image: X/f_alabrune)
French judge Nicolas Guillou, who serves at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, reportedly said his life has been turned upside down after the United States placed him under sanctions for authorising arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.
Speaking to Le Monde, Guillou described the measures as so severe that they effectively prevent him from carrying out ordinary daily activities.
Guillou was sanctioned in August by the Trump administration, which accused him of enabling the ICC to pursue war-crimes charges linked to the destruction of Gaza. He is one of six judges and three prosecutors, including chief prosecutor Karim Khan, now listed under US sanctions.
The restrictions are normally applied to terror groups, drug traffickers, and leaders of authoritarian regimes, but are now being used against magistrates operating within an independent international court based in Europe.
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Since the sanctions took effect, Guillou says he has been unable to open or maintain accounts with any US-connected service, including Google, Apple, Amazon, and major hotel or booking platforms, reported Le Monde.
A hotel reservation he made in France was cancelled within hours. He cannot use Visa, Mastercard, or American Express, and even non-US banks in Europe have closed his accounts to avoid violating American rules, as per the Le Monde report.
According to Guillou, this has created a situation where normal financial and professional life is impossible. He cannot reliably carry out online purchases because he cannot know whether a product involves an American company.
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He has also found himself blocked from basic transactions in France, his home country, and in the Netherlands, where he works.
Guillou argues that the sanctions amount to an “economic ban” across a large part of the world and says European governments should intervene to shield their own judicial officials from foreign punitive measures.
So far, he points out, European banks and companies have been following US directives rather than protecting an EU citizen who is performing duties at a court created and funded by European nations.
