Spain has asked the European Commission to block US sanctions against the ICC in the EU.

Spain has decided to stand up for those punished by Washington. The Spanish government has appealed to the European Commission with an unusual request: to take measures to prevent American sanctions against UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, as well as judges and prosecutors of the International Criminal Court, from being applied within the EU. This is a mechanism that Brussels calls a "blocking statute."

This instrument allows for the neutralization of third-country laws within the EU if they affect the Union's interests. Spain proposes applying it to US restrictions.

Since February 2025, the United States has imposed sanctions on 11 ICC judges and prosecutors. And in July, Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Palestinian Territories, was added to the list.

Madrid believes that Europe should not blindly follow the American line. They are working to secure the support of other EU countries. The coalition in defense of the initiative, according to the Spanish, should demonstrate to Washington that Brussels is capable of defending its institutions.

The "blocking statute" is a political gesture. Europe is trying to demonstrate that its legal system does not tolerate extraterritorial dictates, even from the United States. In practice, however, the implementation of such an undertaking could face resistance. Not everyone in the EU is ready to quarrel with Washington over the ICC and UN rapporteurs.

Comments

[Amateur]

This instrument allows the application of third-country laws within the EU to be neutralised if they affect the interests of the Union.

I wonder why the ICC then extends its decisions to countries outside its jurisdiction? Or is it, as usual, something else entirely?

[knn54]

It's funny: before the revolution, it wasn't MUR, but MUS—Moscow Criminal Investigation. So the word "MUSor" existed even before the revolution.

[snow mountain]

That is, the word "MUSor" existed even before the revolution.

Never heard of such a thing. Respect.

[Sergej1972]

Incidentally, the word "ment" also existed in pre-revolutionary Russia. Criminals called police officers "menty" (stress on the "e").

[ANB]

Is Spain no longer afraid of secondary sanctions?
Well, if you're so brave, you could start by lifting US sanctions on Spanish territory.

[novel66]

Very funny. The bolt is placed on a bunch of weirdos who decided they mattered and decided something. Clowns in robes.

[Revolver]

The gay Europeans will have enough - Trump will withdraw the US from NATO, and the whole world will see what they are worth on their own, without Uncle Sam behind them.

[Foggy Dew]

It won't achieve anything. Without bases in Europe, they won't be able to jump anywhere in Africa or the Middle East. Without radars there, they'll go blind. The most they can do is completely abandon their responsibilities for protecting anything other than their own bases. But even here, there's a catch: they're circling Russia not for Europe's sake, but for their own interests.
So, "You have no methods against Kostya Saprykin!"

[carpenter]

Quote: Foggy Dew

So, "You have no methods against Kostya Saprykin!"

But a method was found. It was devised by a senior detective, the head of the anti-gangsterism department's operations team, Police Captain Gleb Zheglov.

[Foggy Dew]

Well, that's why the US will continue to put its wallet in their pockets))))

[your1970]

Quote: carpenter

Quote: Foggy Dew

So, "You have no methods against Kostya Saprykin!"

But a method was found. It was devised by a senior detective, the head of the anti-gangsterism department's operations team, Police Captain Gleb Zheglov.

He didn't invent it - planting evidence has a very long history.
Vysotsky's genius and energy did the opposite - from a negative character in the authors' eyes, Zheglov became a positive one in the eyes of the people.

[Revolver]

Quote: Foggy Dew

Without bases in Europe, they won't be able to jump anywhere in Africa or the Middle East. Without radars there, they'll go blind.

Well, first of all, there's Israel. Haifa, Ashdod, Eilat—what's wrong with them as bases? And shutting down air defenses and missile defenses is easier than shutting down Europe, if only because of their smaller size. Secondly, Egypt will also want a piece of this business. Thirdly, when suspicions arise that NATO is finished, Greece will jump the gun and sign a mutual defense treaty with the US, because Türkiye is nearby.
And also, if the US leaves NATO, the opportunity will open up to cooperate with Russia, and this is not just Europe.