Members of the ICC's oversight body voted to bring disciplinary proceedings against Karim Khan, with 15 in favor, four against, and two abstaining, according to multiple reports. The British ICC prosecutor faces charges over claims he sexually harassed a colleague, as reported by major media outlets. This decision follows allegations that first emerged in 2024, marking a significant development in the case.
Karim Khan was accused by a female aide of misconduct, with a former female colleague claiming he had sex with her without consent. A second woman came forward to investigators in August last year, accusing Karim Khan of sexual misconduct, multiple reports indicate. The allegations included that Karim Khan performed non-consensual sex acts with a woman over an 11-month period during official trips to New York, Colombia, Chad, and Paris, as stated by the woman involved.
It was 'alarming' that the 21-strong 'political bureau' at the court had overruled the judges' panel, which had previously reached a 'unanimous and unequivocal conclusion' that no misconduct had taken place.
Karim Khan denies the allegation of non-consensual sex, with his official statement asserting it was categorically untrue that he has engaged in sexual misconduct of any kind. He took a leave of absence from his role as ICC prosecutor, according to multiple reports, though the specific reasons for this leave have not been detailed publicly. An investigation was launched as a result of the allegations against Karim Khan, though its current status remains unclear.
Karim Khan's lawyers claimed he had not been directly informed of the decision to bring disciplinary proceedings, according to multiple reports. The disciplinary proceedings unfold against a backdrop of high-profile ICC cases, including the prosecutor's move in May 2024 to seek the arrests of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant. That action occurred just two weeks after a woman made sexual harassment allegations against Karim Khan, as reported by major media.
It was 'categorically untrue that he has engaged in sexual misconduct of any kind'.
Investigating claims made against Karim Khan has turned into a lengthy process fraught with geopolitics and rows over standards of proof, according to multiple reports, potentially complicating the court's operations. Key unknowns persist, including what specific disciplinary charges have been brought against Karim Khan and what evidence supports the allegations of non-consensual sex acts during official trips. The current status of the investigation into the sexual misconduct allegations is also uncertain, as is how the ICC has addressed concerns over its internal processes raised by these allegations.
Additionally, the impact these disciplinary proceedings might have on ongoing ICC cases, such as those involving Israeli leaders, remains to be seen, with potential implications for the court's credibility and effectiveness.