TITLE: United States Office of Foreign Assets Control Adds Individual to Sanctions Designation List for International Criminal Court-Related Activity
BODY:
On May 27, 2026, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), a component of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, added an individual to its Specially Designated Nationals List (SDN List) pursuant to International Criminal Court-related executive order authority.
OFAC designated Francesca Paola Albanese, an Italian national born on March 30, 1977, in Ariano Irpino, Italy, and currently residing in Tunis, Tunisia. The designation was made under executive order ICC-EO14203. Albanese's Italian passport, number YA4652441, expired on January 8, 2024. The addition to the SDN List means that U.S. persons and entities are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with the designated individual, and any assets subject to U.S. jurisdiction must be blocked. Financial institutions and other parties are required to report blocked transactions to OFAC.
The SDN List is OFAC's primary sanctions designation tool and identifies individuals and entities with which U.S. persons cannot conduct business. Designations under International Criminal Court-related authority reflect U.S. policy to address individuals involved in activities that warrant sanctions under relevant executive orders. The addition of Albanese to the SDN List expands OFAC's enforcement reach regarding International Criminal Court-related matters and signals continued U.S. commitment to sanctions compliance in this area.
U.S. persons and entities must ensure their compliance programs account for this designation and implement appropriate screening procedures to prevent prohibited transactions.
REFERENCES:
Office of Foreign Assets Control. "International Criminal Court-related Designation." May 27, 2026. https://ofac.treasury.gov/recent-actions/20260527