The International Criminal Court and French insurance group AXA have terminated the medical insurance contract, which took effect on October 1. This move comes at a time when the risk of the US further expanding sanctions against the ICC is rising. Both sides are worried that if the US imposes broader sanctions on the courts, AXA may be forced to stop providing services; otherwise, it may face punishment itself. People familiar with the matter said that AXA had discussed evasion plans with the ICC in the past few months, but it was unable to find a workable solution when the European Union had not yet introduced a “blocking law” against the relevant US sanctions. Currently, 13 ICC officials have been sanctioned by the US, including half of the 18 judges. The court has also reduced its dependence on US companies over the past year, including switching office software from Microsoft to German OpenDesk. The ICC said it will switch to a new unnamed health insurance service provider.

The International Criminal Court and French insurance group AXA have terminated the medical insurance contract, which took effect on October 1. This move comes at a time when the risk of the US further expanding sanctions against the ICC is rising. Both sides are worried that if the US imposes broader sanctions on the courts, AXA may be forced to stop providing services; otherwise, it may face punishment itself. People familiar with the matter said that AXA had discussed evasion plans with the ICC in the past few months, but it was unable to find a workable solution when the European Union had not yet introduced a “blocking law” against the relevant US sanctions. Currently, 13 ICC officials have been sanctioned by the US, including half of the 18 judges. The court has also reduced its dependence on US companies over the past year, including switching office software from Microsoft to German OpenDesk. The ICC said it will switch to a new unnamed health insurance service provider.