ICC chief prosecutor won’t step down during probe into misconduct accusations
The ICC’s top prosecutor, Karim Khan, said he welcomed the investigation and ‘the opportunity to engage in this process’
The International Criminal Court’s oversight body announced Monday it will open an outside investigation into sexual misconduct accusations against its top prosecutor Karim Khan, confirming reporting by Associated Press. Khan said he won’t step down during the probe.
The Assembly of States Parties made the announcement after the court’s internal watchdog opened and shut an inquiry into the allegations after only five days.
“An external investigation is therefore being pursued in order to ensure a fully independent, impartial and fair process,” ASP president Päivi Kaukoranta said in a statement.
Khan has categorically denied accusations that he tried to coerce a female aide into a sexual relationship. The claims come amid reports of an ongoing Israeli intelligence campaign to discredit the court’s prosecution of Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged war crimes in Gaza.
An AP investigation found that two court employees in whom the alleged victim confided came forward with the accusation in May, a few weeks before Khan sought arrest warrants against Netanyahu, his defence minister and three Hamas leaders on war crimes charges. A three-judge panel is now weighing that request.
AP reported that Khan traveled frequently with the woman after transferring her to his office from another department at the ICC’s headquarters in The Hague.