Karim Khan, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), has temporarily stepped down following allegations of sexual misconduct currently under investigation by the United Nations (UN). Khan, a British barrister, denies accusations that he coerced a female colleague into non-consensual sex acts and groped her during work trips, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Despite his denial, pressure increased after reports emerged that he allegedly encouraged the accuser to retract her claims. Allegedly claiming her accusations could jeopardize an ICC investigation into alleged war crimes by Israeli leaders, including the sitting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in Israel’s war against the Hamas terror group in Gaza. His lawyers dismissed any connection between the allegations and the Palestinian warrants.
The allegations include unwanted sexual touching, abuse over an extended period, coercive behavior, and abuse of authority towards a woman who worked for him. The investigation, conducted by the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), is also examining claims of witness intimidation and retaliation against staff. Khan has denied all allegations and agreed to cooperate with the inquiry. His leave follows mounting pressure from senior court officials and renewed media scrutiny. During Khan’s absence, his deputy prosecutors, Nazhat Shameem Khan and Mame Mandiaye Niang, will manage the prosecutor’s office.
The ICC, currently under potential threat of US sanctions, especially due to its investigations into alleged Israeli war crimes, emphasized the importance of maintaining integrity and public trust. Khan, elected in 2021 for a nine-year term, could face removal by a vote of the ICC’s 125 member states if found guilty of serious misconduct. The investigation, now in its sixth month, has included interviews with Khan, the alleged victim, and several staff members.
In a letter sent to his staff and seen by Reuters, the prosecutor said that he had been keeping his position under constant review. “I have made the considered decision to take leave,” he said. “My decision is driven by a deep and unwavering commitment to the credibility of our office and the court, and to safeguard the integrity of the process and fairness to all involved.”
