International Criminal Court Launches External Probe into Top Prosecutor’s Sexual Misconduct Accusations

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has launched an external probe into sexual misconduct accusations against its top prosecutor, Karim Khan. The development comes as the court faces increasing criticism and pressure from Israel and other countries.

Karim Khan has categorically denied the allegations that he tried to coerce a female aide into a sexual relationship. However, two court employees who confided in each other about the alleged victim came forward with the accusation in May. The ICC’s internal watchdog had closed the inquiry within five days, but an external probe will provide a fresh look at the matter.

Here are some key points about the external probe:

• The Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute approved the external investigation this week.
• It is unclear who will conduct the probe, with possibilities including law enforcement officials from Europe and a law firm.
• The United Nations’ internal watchdog has also been discussed for such a probe, but it could raise conflict-of-interest concerns due to Karim’s wife having previously worked at the agency in Kenya investigating sexual harassment.

The allegations against Khan come amid reports of an ongoing Israeli intelligence campaign to discredit the court’s prosecution of Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged war crimes in Gaza. The ICC has become increasingly assertive in combating crimes against humanity, war crimes, and related atrocities under Karim Khan’s leadership.

Some notable developments in the ICC’s history that may be relevant to this story include:

• Last September, following the opening of a probe into Russian atrocities in Ukraine, the court suffered a debilitating cyberattack that left staff unable to work for weeks.
• In 2015, the ICC opened a preliminary investigation into Israel’s actions, which has been met with resistance from the Israeli government and other countries.

The international community has increasingly turned its attention to the ICC, both as a tool for holding perpetrators accountable and as a potential target for disinformation campaigns. The external probe into Karim Khan’s behavior will likely shed more light on these dynamics.

Here are some additional details about the alleged misconduct:

• According to whistleblower documents shared with the court’s watchdog and seen by the AP, Khan allegedly asked the woman to rest with him on a hotel bed and then “sexually touched her” during one foreign trip.
• He also allegedly came to her room at 3am and knocked on the door for 10 minutes.
• Other allegedly nonconsensual behavior cited in the documents included locking the door of his office and sticking his hand in her pocket. He also allegedly asked her on several occasions to go on a vacation together.

The ICC’s internal watchdog could not determine wrongdoing, but it nonetheless urged Khan to minimize contact with the woman to protect the rights of all involved and safeguard the court’s integrity.

In response to the allegations, Karim Khan has denied any wrongdoing and called for an external probe. The ICC’s leadership faces challenges in maintaining its independence and credibility in the face of such allegations.

The international community will be watching this development closely, as it raises important questions about accountability, transparency, and the rule of law. The outcome of this external probe could have significant implications for the ICC’s reputation and effectiveness.

Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.