The International Criminal Court (ICC) is facing renewed scrutiny as its 125 member states prepare to vote on whether to remove Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan following allegations of sexual misconduct, which he has consistently denied.
The allegations were brought by an ICC staff member identified as Sarah, a Malaysian lawyer who joined the court in 2017 and became Khan’s direct assistant in February 2023. Speaking publicly for the first time in an interview with CNN, she alleged that Khan repeatedly crossed professional and personal boundaries during her time working with him.
Sarah claimed the alleged misconduct escalated over time, describing what she said were repeated unwanted physical advances and emotional manipulation.
“There is no way for something to be consensual when you have such a power disparity. Mr. Khan was not just my boss, he was everyone’s boss,” she said, arguing that the imbalance of authority made genuine consent impossible.
Representatives of the ICC’s member states are expected to vote on July 24 on Khan’s future after disciplinary proceedings were referred to the Assembly of States Parties.
Khan has strongly denied all allegations, maintaining that he never engaged in any form of sexual harassment or inappropriate relationship with the complainant.
His lead counsel, Sareta Ashraph, said the accusations had been thoroughly investigated and were being subjected to appropriate legal scrutiny.
“These are serious allegations and they needed to be taken seriously, investigated seriously and undergo a serious judicial review,” she said, adding that Khan “denies them in their entirety.”
Supporters of the prosecutor have argued that the allegations form part of a broader campaign to undermine his credibility, citing his efforts to pursue arrest warrants against senior Israeli officials.
According to reports, a confidential investigation by the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) found there was a factual basis for the allegations. However, a separate panel of ICC judicial experts concluded in March that there was insufficient evidence to establish misconduct beyond a reasonable doubt.
Khan has previously told UN investigators that his official travel arrangements, including constant security protection, made it virtually impossible for him to leave his accommodation unnoticed. He has consistently denied engaging in harassment, abuse of authority or any inappropriate behaviour and said he fully cooperated with investigators.
The controversy has expanded following the emergence of a second complainant, identified as Patricia, who served as an intern under Khan in 2009.
Patricia alleged that Khan repeatedly subjected her to unwanted physical advances, including groping, kissing and attempts to initiate intimate contact during her internship.
Recalling one alleged incident, she said she felt “frozen” and unable to resist or stop the behaviour.
She explained that she chose to come forward after learning of Sarah’s allegations, hoping to reassure other potential victims that they were not alone.
The outcome of the upcoming vote by ICC member states is expected to determine whether Khan remains in office as the court continues to grapple with one of the most significant controversies in its history.