A federal judge in the District of Columbia has ordered the United States government to remove sanctions imposed on Francesca Albanese, a United Nations special rapporteur who criticized Israel and urged legal accountability over its actions in Gaza and the West Bank. Judge Richard Leon issued a preliminary finding that the sanctions likely violated her First Amendment right to free speech, concluding that her engagement with the International Criminal Court amounted to offering a nonbinding opinion.

The sanctions were imposed last year by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who accused Albanese of encouraging the International Criminal Court to investigate or prosecute nationals of the United States and Israel. Neither country recognizes the authority of the court. The ruling marks a significant legal victory for Albanese, though the Justice Department has appealed the decision and is seeking to pause the injunction.

Because United Nations policy barred Albanese from suing in her own name, the lawsuit was brought by her family members. Legal experts say the case could have broader implications for how national security powers are used, particularly when speech critical of government policy is treated as a threat. Albanese welcomed the decision but cautioned that the legal battle is likely to continue.