The Hague, Netherlands — Karim Khan KC, the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), is facing significant pressure from high-level colleagues to step down due to ongoing sexual misconduct investigations. Khan, who recently initiated war crimes charges against Israel, has refused to leave his position despite the controversy surrounding him and the formal allegations made against him.
In May, it was revealed that a female lawyer at the ICC had levied serious accusations against Khan, describing incidents of improper physical contact both in his office and during an official trip. These revelations triggered an external probe in November, led by the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), to further investigate the claims, which Khan firmly denies.
Adding to the complications, Khan, aged 54, has been barred from entering the United States following an executive order issued by former President Donald Trump targeting ICC officials. This measure constitutes part of a broader conflict between the U.S. and the ICC over investigations into war crimes.
Sources close to the situation have disclosed that three influential figures within the ICC have urged Khan to temporarily step down while the inquiry progresses. Among them is American lawyer Brenda Hollis, a prominent member of the ICC team investigating Palestine, who previously appeared publicly with Khan when he announced intentions to seek arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
Despite these calls, Khan remains in his role, which has caused considerable discord within the ICC. This situation has reportedly led to internal strife, with some staff members voicing support for the accuser, while others allegedly engage in attempts to discredit her credibility and motives—a charge the ICC has not publicly addressed.
Khan’s legal team has defended his decision not to step aside, citing precedent that elected ICC officials have not typically been required to vacate their positions during investigations. They argue that the circumstances involving Khan are distinguishable from other cases where non-elected staff were suspended pending inquiries.
These developments have raised concerns about the potential long-term impact on the ICC’s reputation and effectiveness. Observers inside and outside the court are worried about how the institution’s handling of this case might affect its global standing, especially in light of the added pressure from the U.S. administration.
As the investigation continues, the international legal community watches closely, aware that the outcomes could influence not just the future of one prominent legal figure, but the credibility of the ICC itself in upholding international law.
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