Lyn Frans
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has announced that it will conduct an external investigation into serious allegations of sexual misconduct against its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan.
Khan has stated that he intends to fully engage with the investigation while continuing to fulfill his responsibilities in his role. He firmly denies the allegations against him. Initially, Khan had requested an internal investigation by the court’s watchdog; however, the ICC’s governing body decided to pursue an external investigation instead.
This decision follows recent media reports detailing a document that outlines accusations against Khan, which reportedly include unwanted sexual touching and other forms of abuse. In his response, Khan emphasized that he had previously called for an inquiry into these matters and welcomed the opportunity to participate in the process.
Also Read:Putin Receives Rousing Welcome Despite ICC Arrest Warrant
He reassured that while the investigation is underway, he will continue to perform all his duties as prosecutor. To maintain fairness and integrity during the investigation, he mentioned that any related issues would be handled by deputy prosecutors who do not report to him, ensuring that everyone’s rights are fully respected throughout the process.
Investigation also reveals, a female lawyer has come forward with allegations against Karim Khan, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), claiming she was subjected to unwanted sexual advances. She has also expressed concerns about the effectiveness of the ICC’s Independent Oversight Mechanism (IOM), which is responsible for handling such complaints.
Related:Justice Under Fire: ICC Prosecutor Faces Sexual Misconduct Allegations
The report indicates that Khan allegedly attempted to persuade the woman to deny her claims after she filed a formal complaint, despite having been advised to avoid direct contact with her. Khan has denied these allegations, stating that he never asked her to withdraw her complaint.
Paivi Kaukoranta, who leads the oversight body at the ICC, mentioned last month that while the IOM had been in touch with the alleged victim, it was not yet ready to move forward with an investigation. In a statement on Monday, Kaukoranta defended the IOM’s ability to conduct inquiries but acknowledged that, due to the circumstances, an external investigation would be appropriate. She emphasized that this external investigation aims to ensure a fully independent, impartial, and fair process.
This announcement comes at a time of heightened scrutiny for both Khan and the ICC, particularly following Khan’s request for arrest warrants related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. In May, Khan stated there were reasonable grounds to believe that several high-profile figures—including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas leaders—were responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity following Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7. Since then, some of these individuals have been killed by Israeli forces.
While Khan has not directly blamed Israel in his statements, he has linked the allegations of sexual misconduct to broader efforts to undermine his position, describing it as a moment when both he and the ICC are facing various attacks and threats. It is important to note that the sexual misconduct allegations reportedly pre-date his request for arrest warrants related to the Gaza conflict. Currently, a panel of three ICC judges is reviewing the arrest warrants that Khan has requested.
Additional Source :BBC
