Financial sanctions act as a logistical chokehold. When the US targets the ICC, it doesn't just freeze specific accounts; it triggers "de-risking" among global banks. To avoid US penalties, commercial banks often refuse to process any transaction linked to the Court. This makes paying field staff or local contractors a nightmare of delays and failed transfers.
Visa restrictions create physical gaps in evidence gathering. If a prosecutor is barred from entering the US, they cannot interview key witnesses or access archives located on American soil. Travel becomes a gamble. Many investigators avoid routing flights through US hubs to prevent sudden detention or visa revocation at the border.
The pressure extends to individuals. Threatening staff with asset freezes forces personnel to choose between their careers and their personal finances. This instability drains institutional memory as experienced lawyers leave to avoid legal jeopardy. Cases stall when the people building them can no longer move freely or secure their funding.
