After being suspended on allegations of an inappropriate sexual relationship with a junior staff member, Karim Khan, the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) chief prosecutor, is now facing dismissal on the recommendation of ICC’s oversight body. The executive bureau of the ICC’s governing body considered the findings of a year-long investigation carried out through a United Nations process commissioned by the court and examined the evidence before making the decision.
The bureau found that Khan committed a serious breach of duty and serious misconduct and held that the allegations against Khan are established beyond a reasonable doubt.
“The evidence establishes beyond a reasonable doubt that the prosecutor (…) engaged in a sexual relationship with (the victim),” read a copy of the June 8 decision of the bureau as reported by Reuters. It further noted that the relationship began in March 2023 and “escalated over time, and that, in the context of that power imbalance, a sexual relationship could never be appropriate”.
His behaviour escalated over time, resulting in him engaging in non-consensual sexual contact with her in his office, at his private residence and whilst on mission,” the document stated, quoting the findings of a U.N. report.
The bureau set aside an advisory opinion given by three external judges and said that it had enough evidence to make a decision. In 2024, a female lawyer had accused Karim Khan, born to a British mother and a Pakistani father, of misconduct. The details of allegations against him have been reported for the first time.
The matter was referred for voting to the 125-member Assembly of States Parties by the ICC’s oversight body. The voting will take place on 24th July in New York, when the recommendation of the body is expected to play a crucial role. At least 63 of the 125 member states of the world’s criminal court of last resort are required to pass his dismissal.
Karim Khan had reportedly denied the allegations against him. “The decision is unlawful, procedurally unfair and unsupported by evidence,” his lawyers said, speaking to Reuters on Tuesday (23rd June).
Notably, Karim Khan is among the 11 ICC judges and prosecutors on whom the US has imposed sanctions, citing the ICC’s arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant, and for a past probe into U.S. troops in Afghanistan.
