The International Criminal Court (ICC) confirmed it was the target of a “new, sophisticated, and targeted” cyberattack last week, marking the second security breach it has faced in just two years.
In a statement released Monday, the Hague-based tribunal said the incident had been “identified and contained,” though it did not specify the exact timing or nature of the breach. “Late last week” was the only timeframe given, and the court declined to comment further on the technical details or possible suspects.
The cybersecurity incident came shortly after the city hosted a high-stakes NATO summit attended by global leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump.
This latest breach echoes the 2023 cyberattack that the ICC previously described as “unprecedented” and later revealed to be linked to espionage efforts.
While the ICC did not attribute responsibility for the recent intrusion, the attack comes at a time when the court is handling politically sensitive and high-profile cases. These include an active arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin over alleged illegal deportations of Ukrainian children, and one for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, tied to alleged war crimes during the conflict in Gaza.
Additionally, former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte is reportedly in ICC custody, facing accusations of orchestrating killings tied to his bloody anti-drug campaign.
The court’s pursuit of global justice has drawn criticism from powerful states. After the warrant for Netanyahu was issued, U.S. President Trump responded with fury, placing sanctions on top ICC officials, including Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan and four judges.
The ICC, established to try individuals for the gravest international offenses—war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity—now faces growing pressure to protect its integrity and digital infrastructure as it continues its mandate.
