The president of the International Criminal Court lashed out on Monday at Russia for targeting its prosecutors and judges over the panel’s investigation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and slammed comments by a U.

The world’s only permanent global court for atrocity crimes has come under fire after issuing arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense minister and Hamas leaders, among other controversies.

The Assembly of States Parties, which represents the ICC’s 124 member countries, will convene its 23rd conference to elect committee members and approve the court’s budget against a backdrop of unfavorable headlines.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is a global court with the power to bring prosecutions for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. In November, it issued arrest warrants for Israel's prime minister and former defence minister, as well as the military commander of Hamas.

The president of the International Criminal Court has lashed out at the United States and Russia for interfering with its investigations and calls threats and attacks on the court “appalling.”