The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, has categorically denied new allegations of sexual misconduct brought forth by a second woman. This accusation emerged during an ongoing investigation initiated last year, which followed similar claims made by an aide close to Khan. The initial allegations involve accusations of forcing sexual intercourse on multiple occasions in 2023 and 2024 in locations such as New York, Paris, and The Hague.
The second accuser alleges that Khan subjected her to unwanted sexual advances while she was an unpaid intern in 2019. In her statement to investigators, she claims that Khan repeatedly pressured her into engaging in sexual activities. The law firm representing Khan, Carter-Ruck, has firmly rejected these claims, stating they are “entirely false.”
In a comprehensive response provided to the New York Sun, Carter-Ruck emphasized that the second woman is not recognized as a complainant in the investigation but has been treated as a witness. They noted that she only raised these new allegations at the conclusion of the investigative process. The firm asserts that Khan has submitted evidence that contradicts her claims, stating, “That evidence demonstrates that her claims are not only false, but in material respects are bizarre and wholly implausible.”
Khan temporarily stepped down from his position in May 2023 as the investigation into the initial allegations progresses. The first accuser alleged that Khan subjected her to repeated sexual advances, describing a “constant onslaught” of inappropriate behavior. She spoke to The Guardian on the condition of anonymity, asserting that “he shouldn’t have been doing it… He was my employer.”
In her detailed account, the woman described an incident where Khan allegedly groped her without consent. Despite these experiences, she chose to remain in her role, hoping to receive a positive recommendation at the end of her internship, stating, “I had to either persevere or leave.”
Khan’s legal team argues that there is a deliberate effort to tarnish his reputation, particularly due to his involvement in issuing arrest warrants for Israeli officials, including Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant, related to their actions during the Gaza war. They allege that this campaign aims to undermine both Khan and the ICC.
The duration of the ongoing investigation remains uncertain, but its findings will be crucial in determining whether any further action will be taken against Khan, including the possibility of his removal from office. As the situation develops, the ICC continues to navigate the complexities surrounding these serious allegations.