New York, Aug. 19 (Jiji Press)--U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is "seriously concerned" about U.S. sanctions on International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane, U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said Wednesday. The United Nations regards The Hague-based court as "a key pillar of international criminal justice," and the secretary-general "very much respects its work," Dujarric said at a press conference. He also voiced concern over previous U.S. sanctions related to the ICC. The U.S. government on Tuesday announced the sanctions on Akane, who is from Japan, and a senior trial lawyer of the ICC, alleging the court's assault on state sovereignty. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]