International Criminal Court: Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan Under Investigation
Khan was accused of “inappropriate behavior” or, simply put, “sexually harassing an employee”
The dramatic turn came in The Hague, where the International Criminal Court (ICC) watchdog formally requested an external investigation into allegations of misconduct involving ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan. Specifically, the latter is accused of “sexually harassing an employee.”
Khan, of course, has denied all the allegations and insists it’s a disinformation campaign against him. Ironically, Khan did not suggest in his statements that the Kremlin’s “long arm” was behind the allegations: on March 17, 2023, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin, accused of “deporting Ukrainian children to Russia after the outbreak of the armed conflict between Moscow and Kiev on February 24, 2022.” Russia, in turn, issued an arrest warrant for Khan.
As stated by Assembly of States Parties (ASP) Chairperson Päivi Kaukoranta, “an external investigation is necessary to ensure a fully independent, impartial, and fair trial.” Karim Khan said he welcomed the external investigation and “the opportunity to participate in the process.” He also stated that he will continue in his role as prosecutor for the time being.
According to the international press, Khan “made headlines in May after attacking Putin” when he requested arrest warrants “for war crimes and crimes against humanity” for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, then-Jewish State Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and three Hamas leaders in Gaza (who were later killed in the following months).
