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It’s the second time such an incident has hit the ICC in recent years.
It’s the second time in recent years, the ICC has been the target of cyberespionage.
What is happening?
The International Criminal Court (ICC) revealed it was struck by a “sophisticated and targeted” cyberattack last week, just as NATO leaders convened in The Hague for a major summit.
The court said it detected and contained the threat, though investigations are still ongoing.
Mitigation Efforts Underway
Following the breach, the ICC launched a comprehensive analysis to assess the impact across its operations.
Steps are already being taken to minimize any fallout, the court confirmed in a public statement issued Monday.
NATO Summit Week Sparks Cyber Turbulence
The cyberattack on the ICC occurred during a week of heightened digital tension in The Hague, which hosted a high-profile NATO summit.
Dutch Institutions Also Targeted
In the days surrounding the NATO summit, Dutch cybersecurity officials reported a wave of DDoS (distributed denial-of-service) attacks targeting local governments and institutions.
Pro-Russian Hacktivists Claim Responsibility
Online groups known for their pro-Russian stance claimed responsibility for the DDoS attacks.
Though the groups have a history of online disruption, authorities have yet to directly connect them to the ICC breach.
Mysterious Train Outage Raises Alarms
A major power outage last Tuesday paralyzed train services across the Netherlands.
Authorities are investigating whether the blackout, which coincided with the summit, might have been an act of sabotage.
ICC Previously Targeted in 2023
This isn’t the ICC’s first brush with cyberespionage.
In 2023, the court reported a breach believed to be an attempt to spy on its internal communications—underscoring the risks faced by global justice institutions.
Arrest Warrants Spark Political Fallout
The ICC has faced growing scrutiny after issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense chief Yoav Gallant.
U.S. Sanctions ICC Prosecutor
In retaliation, the Trump administration imposed sanctions on Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan.
European Push to Ditch U.S. Tech
After Khan lost access to his Microsoft-provided email in May,
European leaders have ramped up calls to reduce reliance on American tech companies for sensitive communications.
