THE US was slammed for shielding war criminals for its own political gain today after it voted to impose sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Last week, the lower chamber of US Congress passed the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act.

If voted through both chambers, the legislation will sanction any foreigner who investigates, arrests, detains or prosecutes US citizens or those of an allied country, including Israel, that does not recognise the authority of the court.