ICC Chief Prosecutor Faces Allegations as Inquiry Launched

Karim Khan, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, has formally denied allegations of sexual misconduct and has called for an investigation by the ICC's Independent Oversight Mechanism. This inquiry comes amid tensions related to his request for arrest warrants against Israeli leaders in connection with war crimes in Gaza.

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Karim Khan, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), has firmly denied allegations of sexual misconduct and has requested an immediate investigation to be conducted by the ICC's Independent Oversight Mechanism (IOM). Following recent media reports that referenced a document containing serious accusations against him—ranging from unwanted touching to abuse—Khan emphasized his willingness to cooperate completely with the investigation process.

The timing of these allegations has raised eyebrows, especially as the ICC faces scrutiny for Khan's recent push for arrest warrants against Israeli leaders due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. In his statement, Khan presented his concerns over what he described as "disinformation" related to the accusations, which he plans to address through the inquiry process.

The Assembly of States Parties (ASP), which oversees the court's management, acknowledged that IOM had engaged with the alleged victim but found itself unable to initiate an investigation at the time. Reports indicate that the female lawyer involved had reservations about the capability of the IOM and felt that she was not afforded adequate means to resolve her complaints through an independent body.

Khan has previously faced criticism as his actions as prosecutor intersect with contentious geopolitical issues, including the situation in Gaza. Although he refrained from directly blaming any country for the allegations against him, he articulated a broader context of attacks against both himself and the ICC, suggesting that these claims could be an effort to undermine the court's authority.

While the accusations are said to date back prior to Khan’s recent legal actions, they have now emerged during a particularly sensitive period for the ICC. With the court's legitimacy and effectiveness in question, President of the ASP, Paivi Kaukoranta, reiterated the ICC's commitment to a zero-tolerance policy toward harassment, discrimination, and any form of abuse of power.

As the investigation unfolds, Khan expresses his sadness regarding the public airing of the allegations, reiterating that there is “no truth” to the misconduct claims. The ICC, based in The Hague, is grappling with internal conflicts while under intense scrutiny from external critics, adding layers of complexity to its operations and its role within the global legal framework.