Alleged Misconduct by ICC Prosecutor to Be Probed by Oversight Body

International Criminal Court chief prosecutor Karim Khan speaks at a press conference during his first official visit to Canada on Parliament Hill, in Ottawa, on May 5, 2023. The Canadian Press/Spencer Colby

The oversight body of the International Criminal Court (ICC) said on Nov. 11 that it will open an external probe into accusations of sexual misconduct against ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan.

Since the allegations emerged, the ICC’s internal watchdog opened and shut an inquiry after only five days.

“An external investigation is therefore being pursued in order to ensure a fully independent, impartial and fair process,” the court’s governing body, the Assembly of States Parties (ASP), said in a statement.

The ASP said the Independent Oversight Mechanism (IOM) will lead the investigation because the body has “full operational independence” from the ICC and is “competent to investigate such allegations.”

According to the ASP, an external investigation will ensure a “fully independent, impartial and fair process, in conformity with the legal framework of the ICC and the IOM.”

The exact details of the investigation are still being finalized.

Khan was named in October as the official being investigated for sexual misconduct.

In an Oct. 25 statement to social media platform X, he said there was “no truth to suggestions of such misconduct.”

On Monday, Khan said in a statement that he welcomed “the opportunity to engage in this process” and will not be stepping down during the probe.

“I will be continuing all other functions as Prosecutor, in line with my mandate, across situations addressed by the International Criminal Court.”

He said that he had requested that his two deputy prosecutors take responsibility for the matter internally.

Khan previously made headlines after seeking arrest warrants for several Hamas leaders, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

The ICC is a permanent court with the power to prosecute people for war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and similar crimes. However, it doesn’t have a police force or the power to enforce its warrants.

Instead, the court relies on parties who acknowledge its jurisdiction to comply with a requested arrest warrant. Dozens of governments are not parties to the ICC, including China, Russia, India, and the United States.

The Epoch Times has contacted Karim Khan’s office for further comment.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.