The International Criminal Court (ICC) is set to launch an external investigation into serious allegations of sexual misconduct against its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan. This decision comes after a series of media reports detailing accusations against Khan, which allegedly include unwanted sexual touching and other forms of abuse.
In a statement released Monday, Khan reaffirmed his commitment to his role amidst the investigation, asserting that he has not only welcomed the process but has also previously called for an inquiry into the matter. “I will continue all other functions as prosecutor while the investigation is ongoing,” Khan stated, adding that any inquiries related to the allegations would be handled by deputy prosecutors who do not report directly to him. This step is intended to ensure the “rights of all persons are fully respected,” he explained.
The announcement for the external investigation comes after concerns were raised regarding the competence of the ICC’s Independent Oversight Mechanism (IOM) by a female lawyer who claims to have faced unwanted advances from Khan. The Guardian newspaper reported that Khan allegedly attempted to pressure the accuser into retracting her claims. However, Khan has denied these allegations, asserting he did not ask anyone to withdraw their complaints.
Paivi Kaukoranta, president of the body overseeing the ICC, acknowledged that the IOM had previously been in contact with the alleged victim. While she defended the IOM’s capability to conduct the investigation, Kaukoranta affirmed that “given the particular circumstances,” it was appropriate to pursue an independent external investigation. “This is to ensure a fully independent, impartial, and fair process,” she noted in her remarks.
This scrutiny of Khan comes at a particularly sensitive time for the ICC, coinciding with his recent requests for arrest warrants linked to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. In May, Khan asserted that there were reasonable grounds to believe that high-profile individuals, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas leaders, were criminally responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity stemming from the conflict ignited by Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7.
As tensions surrounding this case mount, Khan’s situation has become increasingly precarious. He has indicated that the allegations against him are part of a broader attack aimed at undermining both his position and the ICC itself. This narrative has added an additional layer of complexity to the ongoing investigation, which is understood to predate his recent actions concerning the Gaza conflict.
Currently, a panel of three ICC judges is deliberating over the arrest warrants requested by Khan, while the external investigation into his alleged misconduct is set to proceed. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how these serious allegations will affect both Khan’s position and the ICC’s operations moving forward.
