ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan denies allegations of misconduct amid harassment claims

Karim Khan, the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), has firmly denied allegations of misconduct following harassment accusations made by a female colleague, as reported by The Mail on Sunday. Khan, a prominent barrister known for prosecuting war criminals, found himself at the center of controversy earlier this year after seeking arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged crimes in Gaza.

Global Criticism of Khan's Actions

Khan's move to pursue warrants against Israeli officials drew significant backlash. U.S. President Joe Biden described the action as "outrageous," while former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak labeled it "deeply unhelpful." Amid this international criticism, Khan, 54, reportedly became the subject of internal scrutiny within the ICC when a female staff member raised concerns about his behavior, sharing her experience with a colleague who escalated the matter to senior management.

Internal Review Without Formal Complaint

The Independent Oversight Mechanism (IOM), the body responsible for handling misconduct allegations at the ICC, questioned the alleged victim. However, the woman chose not to file an official complaint, and reports suggest she neither confirmed nor denied the colleague’s account of the incident. Despite the absence of a formal complaint, the IOM opted against launching a full investigation, instead recommending measures to safeguard the rights of all parties involved.

Khan has vehemently denied the accusations, dismissing them as part of a smear campaign. He also pointed out that both he and the court had faced “a wide range of attacks and threats.”

"I absolutely can confirm there is no truth to suggestions of misconduct," Khan asserted, defending his integrity.

ICC Leadership Responds

Paivi Kaukoranta, President of the Assembly of States Parties, acknowledged the media reports but emphasized that no formal investigation could proceed under the current circumstances, given the lack of a formal complaint.