ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan Responds to Sexual Misconduct Allegations

The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, has firmly denied allegations of sexual misconduct and requested a thorough investigation, asserting his full cooperation. Following media reports detailing accusations of unwanted sexual advances, Khan's statement comes at a time of intense scrutiny for the ICC as it faces internal and external pressures related to his ongoing legal requests concerning the Gaza conflict.

Karim Khan, the chief prosecutor at the International Criminal Court (ICC), has publicly denied allegations of sexual misconduct and has called for an immediate investigation to address the claims made against him. In a recent statement, Khan expressed his willingness to fully cooperate with the inquiry initiated by the ICC's oversight body, the Independent Oversight Mechanism (IOM). He also highlighted the need to investigate what he labeled as "disinformation" surrounding the case.

The allegations against Khan emerged from recent reports suggesting that the prosecutor had engaged in unwanted sexual touching and other forms of inappropriate behavior. In light of these claims, the president of the ICC's Assembly of States Parties indicated that the IOM had initially reached out to the supposed victim but was unable to proceed with an investigation for now. Concerns raised by the female lawyer involved in the case encompassed the IOM's capacity to handle such matters adequately, as she felt deprived of a chance for an external investigation.

Khan's statement, while denying the allegations, noted the precarious timing of the accusations coinciding with his pursuit of arrest warrants for Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, concerning alleged war crimes in Gaza. The situation has thrust the ICC into the spotlight, with criticism mounting and the integrity of its operations being called into question.

Khan expressed his sorrow upon learning that the allegations were to be publicly disclosed and maintained that there is "no truth" to the allegations against him. He emphasized that this controversy occurs during a challenging phase for the ICC, an institution designed to adjudicate serious international crimes when national courts fail to do so.

Kaukoranta, president of the Assembly of States Parties, reaffirmed the ICC's commitment to a zero-tolerance policy towards misconduct, including harassment and abuse, and assured that measures to protect all parties involved are being actively monitored to uphold their rights.