International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan is the first person to be hit with travel and economic sanctions authorised by US President Donald Trump, Reuters reported. The sanction targets Khan for his investigation into US citizens and US allies, the news agency reported. 

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Also read: Russia retaliates to ICC arrest warrant against Putin, puts its prosecutor Karim Khan on wanted list

Khan's name was revealed on Monday (Feb 10) in an annexe to an executive order signed by the US president last week. The sanctions further bar Khan, a British national, and his family from visiting the US. His US assets also get frozen under the sanctions. 

The ICC slammed the sanctions and pledged to stand by its staff. It said it would continue providing justice and hope to millions of innocent victims of atrocities across the world in all situations before it.

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Also read: Karim Khan becomes first 'target' by Trump's sanctions on ICC for investigations against US and allies

'Illegitimate and baseless actions'

Trump has previously accused the ICC of “illegitimate and baseless actions” targeting the US and its long-term ally Israel. 

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Also read: Israel's attacks on UN peacekeepers could be 'war crime'. What's United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon?

The American president said that the ICC had "abused its power" by issuing a warrant against Netanyahu, whom Trump met recently.

This came after the body issued arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant alleging war crimes. 

The warrants accuse the duo of crimes against humanity citing Israeli action in Gaza. 

Also read: UN probe accuses Israel of crimes against humanity, Hamas of war crimes

(With inputs from agencies)