The International Criminal Court (ICC) has launched an external investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan. The ICC’s Assembly of States Parties, which governs the court, announced the decision to conduct an independent, external investigation on Monday, following media reports that surfaced about Khan’s alleged behavior.
Khan, who is facing accusations that reportedly include unwanted sexual touching and “abuse,” has denied these claims. He maintains his commitment to cooperate with the investigation, stating that he previously requested an inquiry through the ICC’s Independent Oversight Mechanism (IOM) to address these issues. Khan added that while the investigation proceeds, he will continue in his prosecutorial duties, delegating any matters related to the investigation to deputy prosecutors who do not report directly to him. This move aims to uphold impartiality and respect the rights of all parties involved, Khan explained.
The allegations against Khan first appeared in a document leaked to the media, outlining accusations by a female lawyer who reportedly claims to have been subjected to unwanted advances by Khan. The lawyer also expressed concerns over the IOM’s capability to conduct an impartial investigation, raising questions about its structure and the potential influence of ICC leadership on its operations. Despite Khan’s previous call for the IOM to investigate, Paivi Kaukoranta, president of the ICC’s Assembly of States Parties, stated that although the IOM had communicated with the alleged victim, it was not positioned to advance the investigation at the time.
In response to the scrutiny over the IOM’s role, Kaukoranta emphasized the importance of ensuring the investigation’s independence and impartiality. She ultimately supported the Assembly’s decision to involve an external body in the probe, stating that “an external investigation is therefore being pursued in order to ensure a fully independent, impartial and fair process.”
The investigation has added pressure to Khan and the ICC, which has recently faced heightened scrutiny over its role in international conflicts. Khan has been particularly active in pursuing legal actions connected to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. In May, he requested arrest warrants for figures on both sides of the conflict, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, and Ismail Haniyeh. According to Khan, there are “reasonable grounds” to believe these leaders bear criminal responsibility for war crimes against humanity dating back to October 7, the date of Hamas’s attacks on Israel.
Since then, Israel has killed Sinwar, Deif, and Haniyeh in military strikes. While Khan has not directly accused Israel in his statements, he has juxtaposed the sexual misconduct allegations with what he described as coordinated attempts to “undermine” his role and the ICC’s broader mission, suggesting these efforts as part of a larger campaign against him and the court.
The timeline of the misconduct allegations is understood to predate Khan’s high-profile involvement in the Gaza conflict investigation. The timing of the scrutiny, however, raises complex questions about whether Khan’s judicial actions on Gaza have intensified backlash or influenced the decision to launch an external probe. Meanwhile, a panel of three ICC judges is considering whether to issue the arrest warrants Khan has requested.
The allegations against Khan also underscore persistent challenges faced by the ICC and its officials as they navigate both the legal and ethical expectations of their roles. As the court continues to take on controversial cases, the investigation into Khan’s conduct highlights the pressures ICC leadership encounters and may impact the court’s reputation and perceived impartiality in handling high-stakes international legal matters.
In his statement on Monday, Khan reiterated his readiness to cooperate fully with the investigation, which is intended to proceed independently of the IOM. As the ICC looks to move forward with its operations, both Khan and the court’s leadership must address the questions raised by these allegations and assure the public of their commitment to transparency, fairness, and accountability.
