ICC suffers sophisticated cyberattack

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
1 Jul 2025 05:39

The International Criminal Court has confirmed it was hit by a sophisticated cyberattack last week, raising concerns over potential breaches of sensitive data.

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A general view of the exterior of the International Criminal Court at The Hague, Netherlands, on March 12, 2025 (AP)

The International Criminal Court (ICC) announced that it was targeted by a “sophisticated” cyberattack last week, the second major breach of its systems in under two years. While the incident has reportedly been contained, the court remains tight-lipped about the extent of the damage or the possible perpetrators behind the intrusion.

“A court-wide impact analysis is being carried out, and steps are already being taken to mitigate any effects of the incident,” the ICC said in a brief statement released Monday.

Spokesperson Fadi El Abdallah added that “all necessary measures have been taken to ensure business continuity,” even as investigations continue into the potential fallout of the breach.

The cyberattack occurred during a week of heightened digital security in The Hague, as the city hosted a major NATO summit attended by leaders of 32 member states. Dutch authorities had implemented tight cybersecurity protocols around critical infrastructure and international institutions, including the ICC.

The court did not confirm whether any confidential documents, case files, or protected witness information were compromised.

Ongoing fallout from 2023 cyberattack

This incident follows a 2023 cyber-espionage breach that targeted the ICC's internal systems and was widely believed to be politically motivated. That attack raised serious concerns about the security of witness data, particularly as the court pursues investigations and potential indictments against senior political and military leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and others.

To this day, the court's IT infrastructure has not fully recovered from the 2023 breach. WiFi connectivity at its headquarters in The Hague remains partially disrupted, highlighting the long-term impact of such attacks.

Cyberattack raises questions amid ICC’s caseload

The renewed targeting of the ICC comes as the court faces intensified political pressure over its investigations into "Israel’s" war on Gaza and other high-profile cases. Several world powers have either condemned or attempted to obstruct the ICC’s work in recent months, via diplomatic pressure and legal threats.

Court remains operational despite setbacks

Despite the attack, ICC officials affirm that judicial proceedings remain unaffected, and contingency systems have ensured continued legal operations. Nonetheless, the court is expected to conduct a detailed forensic audit and may release additional findings if sensitive data was compromised.