ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan denies allegations of sexual misconduct

Karim Khan, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), has firmly denied allegations of sexual misconduct and called for an immediate investigation into the matter. In response to recent media reports detailing accusations against him, Khan requested an inquiry by the ICC’s oversight body, the Independent Oversight Mechanism (IOM).

Khan issued a statement in which he emphasized his willingness to cooperate fully with the investigation and also urged the IOM to address what he described as apparent “disinformation” surrounding the allegations. The accusations, reportedly outlined in a leaked document, include claims of unwanted sexual advances and abuse.

The allegations against Khan come at a time of heightened scrutiny for the ICC, particularly following the prosecutor’s recent request for arrest warrants related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. These warrants, which seek to hold Israeli leaders accountable for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, have drawn global attention and political ramifications.

The president of the ICC’s Assembly of States Parties (ASP), Paivi Kaukoranta, acknowledged the seriousness of the claims and disclosed that the IOM had been in contact with the alleged victim, a female lawyer. However, Kaukoranta explained that the IOM was not initially in a position to pursue an investigation, noting that their annual report for 2023-2024 recommended measures to safeguard the rights of all parties involved. She reiterated the ICC’s commitment to a zero-tolerance policy regarding misconduct, including harassment, discrimination, and abuse of authority.

The Guardian newspaper reported that the alleged victim had expressed concerns about the IOM’s competence in handling the case and had not been provided with adequate avenues to pursue an external investigation. Kaukoranta stated that she remains in communication with all individuals involved to ensure that their rights are protected.

The timing of these allegations, which reportedly predate Khan’s recent requests for arrest warrants, has further complicated an already sensitive situation. A panel of three ICC judges is currently reviewing Khan’s submissions to issue arrest warrants against Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for alleged crimes in Gaza. The prosecutor’s efforts have drawn both praise and criticism amid the escalating conflict in the region.

As the world’s only permanent court designed to prosecute the most serious international crimes when national jurisdictions are unable or unwilling to act, the ICC is now grappling with both the external political fallout from its Gaza investigations and internal concerns over its handling of these misconduct allegations.

The recent developments have thrust the ICC into a crisis that threatens its credibility at a critical moment. The court, based in The Hague, is navigating not only internal tensions over the investigation process but also apparent efforts by critics to politicize the allegations against Khan.

The IOM is expected to launch an inquiry to address both the specific allegations against Khan and the broader issues raised by the victim. In the meantime, Kaukoranta emphasized that the ICC remains committed to safeguarding the rights of all individuals involved, while upholding the highest standards of accountability.

As the investigation unfolds, the ICC faces the dual challenge of addressing these serious allegations while maintaining its integrity amid ongoing global scrutiny.