ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan Denies Misconduct Allegations, Cites Intimidation Campaign

Amsterdam (Quds News Network)- The Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, has denied recent allegations of misconduct following an anonymous complaint filed to the court’s oversight body. The accusations, which surfaced a few days after Khan’s push for arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and defense minister Yoav Gallant, have been met with scrutiny and speculation regarding possible external influences targeting the prosecutor and the ICC itself.

Khan addressed the allegations publicly on Thursday through a statement on X (formerly known as Twitter), emphasizing that there is “no truth” to claims of misconduct. He asserted that his professional record, spanning over 30 years, has remained untarnished. “I have worked in diverse contexts for 30 years and there has never been such a complaint lodged against me by anyone.” he said, adding that he is open to cooperating with investigators should they request additional information.

I welcome this statement from the President of the Assembly of States Parties.

It was with deep sadness that I understood reports of misconduct were to be aired publicly in relation to me. There is no truth to suggestions of such misconduct. I have worked in diverse contexts… https://t.co/vGXksGIbQ6

— Karim A. A. Khan KC (@KarimKhanQC) October 24, 2024

Allegations Amid Rising Political Pressures Against Karim Khan

The complaint against Khan was initially raised in an internal report in May, around the same time Khan’s office requested arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Israel’s defense minister for war crimes in Gaza. The complaint, involving claims by a female colleague, was submitted to the ICC’s Independent Oversight Mechanism (IOM) but has yet to result in a formal investigation, as the complainant has not filed an official request.

In a statement to the media, Paivi Kaukoranta, president of the Assembly of States Parties to the ICC, confirmed that no official investigation has been opened and called for respect for the integrity of the ongoing process.

External Interference

The backdrop of Khan’s efforts to seek justice for victims of crimes in Gaza has stirred political tensions, particularly among Israel and the United States. Both governments have voiced strong opposition to Khan’s arrest warrant request, with US officials decrying the move as “outrageous.” Some insiders at the ICC have suggested that the complaint against Khan may be part of an Israeli-led campaign to discredit his work and undermine his mandate.

Khan himself alluded to the impact of such pressures, condemning any attempts to intimidate ICC officials or obstruct the court’s mission. In recent months, he noted, his office and family members have received threats that are under investigation.

Despite the allegations and ongoing political challenges, Khan has underscored his commitment to justice and affirmed that the court will not be deterred by external pressures. Judges are currently reviewing the evidence presented in May for potential war crimes charges, marking a pivotal moment for the ICC’s influence on international law.

In the meantime, the allegations remain a contentious point, with court officials calling for a transparent and thorough investigation to uphold the ICC’s integrity while it handles one of its most politically charged cases to date.

Israel has launched a brutal offensive on Gaza, resulting in the deaths of at least 42,000 people, the majority of whom are women and children. Numerous verified videos have documented repeated incidents of torture, executions, and deliberate targeting of protected civilians and locations, actions widely condemned as war crimes. Legal experts have increasingly pointed to statements from Israeli officials—including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog—as revealing a clear intent to commit acts of genocide, with the rhetoric and actions taken frequently cited as evidence of this agenda.