Karim Khan Denies Sexual Harassment Allegations
International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan has publicly denied allegations of sexual harassment made by a colleague. In a statement released via the X platform, Khan asserted that the claims are unfounded and come amidst a broader campaign against him. He emphasized his 30 years of professional conduct without any prior complaints of this nature, stating, "I have worked in various contexts for 30 years and no one has ever filed such a complaint against me."
Context of the Allegations
The allegations surfaced following an internal report submitted last May to the Independent Monitoring Mechanism of the Assembly of States Parties, which oversees the ICC. According to Paivi Kokoranta, head of the ICC's oversight body, the alleged victim has not requested an investigation due to personal circumstances. Khan has expressed his willingness to cooperate with independent investigators if requested.
Tensions Surrounding Khan's Role
The timing of the allegations is particularly notable, as they coincide with Khan's controversial request for arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Galant on war crimes charges. This move has drawn significant backlash from both Israel and the United States, leading Khan to claim that he is facing threats aimed at pressuring him to withdraw his requests. He has remained resolute, stating, "I will not submit to them."
