The ICC announced that Karim Khan will temporarily resign from his role until the completion of an external investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct. The investigation, initiated in late 2022, has seen calls for his resignation from various organizations. Khan has denied the accusations, which include unwanted sexual touching, and has expressed a commitment to maintaining the integrity of the court.
ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan Temporarily Steps Down Amid Misconduct Investigation
ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan Temporarily Steps Down Amid Misconduct Investigation
Karim Khan, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, has taken a leave of absence pending the outcome of a sexual misconduct investigation against him.
The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, has stepped down temporarily while an external investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against him is ongoing. This decision, announced by the ICC, follows investigations that were initiated late last year after claims were made against Khan, including incidents of unwanted sexual touching and what has been described as "abuse."
In his absence, the prosecutorial duties will be handled by his deputy team. Reports suggest that several organizations, as well as staff members within the ICC, had urged Khan to resign during the investigation, reflecting the gravity of the allegations against him. Khan has consistently denied the allegations, which he disclosed to the court's governing body in October of last year.
Details about the investigation reveal that it is being conducted by the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services, although a conclusion date remains uncertain. Sources have indicated that Khan participated in what is believed to be a final interview with investigators last week. In a letter to his staff, Khan stated that his decision to step down was motivated by his commitment to uphold the integrity of the ICC and to ensure a fair process for all parties involved.
The backdrop of this investigation intensified scrutiny on Khan and the ICC, particularly after his request for arrest warrants relating to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, which included allegations against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for purported war crimes in Gaza. Netanyahu's government has strongly criticized these claims, with Israel not being a member state of the ICC.
Tensions with the United States also emerged when former President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on ICC officials earlier this year. The ICC responded, highlighting the risks posed to the court's operations due to such sanctions, and called for solidarity among member states and the global community in support of justice and human rights.
