Serious allegations of sexual misconduct have been levelled against Karim Khan, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The alleged victim, a female lawyer who worked directly under Khan, reportedly confided in colleagues about unwanted sexual advances and inappropriate touching that occurred over a period of several months in 2023 and 2024.
These incidents allegedly took place in Khan's office, on work trips, and even at his home.
According to sources familiar with the situation, the woman initially hesitated to file a formal complaint fearing repercussions.
However, the allegations eventually reached Khan and the ICC's internal watchdog, the Independent Oversight Mechanism (IOM). The IOM interviewed the woman but ultimately closed the case after she declined to pursue a formal investigation at that time.
Following the closure of the investigation, Khan and another ICC official allegedly approached the woman on multiple occasions, urging her to retract the accusations. They reportedly suggested she write a letter stating the incidents never happened. Khan has denied these claims, asserting he fully cooperated with the internal process.
The emergence of these allegations coincides with a highly sensitive time for the ICC. Khan recently requested arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders for alleged war crimes, a move that has drawn significant political pressure.
The ICC staff association has called for an independent investigation into the misconduct claims, separate from the initial inquiry. The court's governing body is currently considering the next steps.
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