ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan Faces Retaliation Allegations Amid Misconduct Probe

Social Media · April 5

ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan Faces Retaliation Allegations Amid Misconduct Probe

International Criminal Court (ICC) Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan is under increased scrutiny as United Nations investigators expand their inquiry into allegations of sexual misconduct to include accusations of retaliation against whistleblowers within his office. According to five sources briefed on the investigation, the UN’s Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) is examining whether Khan demoted or otherwise punished staff who either reported the original allegations or expressed concern over how the situation was handled.

Three sources with direct knowledge of the probe revealed that at least four staff members were demoted by Khan following their involvement in the internal reporting of misconduct or criticism of his response. All five sources requested anonymity, citing fears of reprisals.

The original allegations emerged last October, involving accusations of sexual misconduct against a female lawyer who reported directly to Khan. While the investigation into the alleged misconduct continues, the new focus on potential retaliatory behavior significantly raises the stakes for the prosecutor, who is at the center of some of the most politically sensitive legal cases in the world today.

Khan’s legal team, Carter-Ruck, firmly rejected the accusations in a written statement. “We refer you to what our client has said previously in this regard, including his firm denials. You will appreciate that our client cannot be expected to provide a running commentary on these matters,” the law firm said. “He has not engaged in sexual misconduct of any kind and nor, to be clear, has he engaged in any ‘retaliatory behavior’ as alleged.”

Despite the ongoing investigation, Khan has vowed to remain in his role and continue his work. He has previously described the timing of the original complaint as coinciding with a disinformation campaign aimed at undermining the ICC. Under his leadership, the court has launched or advanced high-profile investigations into global figures including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The ICC has issued an arrest warrant for Putin over the alleged deportation of Ukrainian children during the war in Ukraine. A separate warrant for Netanyahu accuses him of war crimes in Gaza. Both Russia and Israel deny the charges and reject the legitimacy of the ICC’s jurisdiction, as neither country is a member of the court.

The ICC’s investigation into Israel has provoked international backlash, particularly from the United States, which has imposed sanctions on Khan. The court’s president has warned that such actions threaten the very independence and functionality of the ICC. Meanwhile, Hungary announced its withdrawal from the court just as it welcomed Netanyahu for a state visit, signaling broader geopolitical consequences tied to Khan’s prosecutions.

Although the UN investigation has not yet resulted in Khan being formally questioned, the ongoing inquiry by the OIOS is expected to delve deeper into both the misconduct and retaliation claims. The ICC and OIOS declined to comment on the matter, and the court’s governing body stated it would not release further information until the investigation concludes.

Based on a report by Reuters 2025-04-05