ICC prosecutor Khan denies misconduct allegation

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International Criminal Court prosecutor Karim Khan has denied an allegation of misconduct in relation to a member of his office, a claim that has added to scrutiny of the UK lawyer after he applied for arrest warrants for two Israeli leaders.

The allegation was reported to the Independent Oversight Mechanism — the body responsible for overseeing the court — in May.

In the oversight body’s annual report, published last week, it said that a complaint against an elected official had been made by a third party, alleging conduct that would violate the court’s harassment rules.

However, the affected individual refused to confirm or deny the allegations, so the matter was dropped, it said.

The report did not identify Khan by name, but he said on Friday that he faced a claim of misconduct. Päivi Kaukoranta, president of the Assembly of States Parties, which runs the IOM, confirmed the office had received a complaint from a third party against Khan.

“It was with deep sadness that I understood reports of misconduct were to be aired publicly in relation to me,” Khan said in a statement.

“There is no truth to suggestions of such misconduct. I have worked in diverse contexts for 30 years and there has never been such a complaint lodged against me by anyone.”

The oversight mechanism “is the body that oversees any matter that may justify investigations. If ever asked to do so, I would be willing to provide any information needed to the IOM. I stand with any victim of harassment or abuse and would encourage all survivors to raise their voice and come forward,” he said.

Khan added that “this is a moment in which myself and the International Criminal Court are subject to a wide range of attacks and threats”.

Kaukoranta said that “following the conversation with the alleged victim, the IOM was not in a position to proceed with an investigation at that stage. Measures to safeguard everyone’s rights were recommended.”

The ICC handles international investigations and prosecutions of individuals for offences including genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Khan himself has faced intense scrutiny on the global stage after he applied for arrest warrants in May against two Israeli politicians, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as senior Hamas leaders, for alleged war crimes.

The court is yet to make a decision on the warrants against the Israelis. All the accused individuals from Hamas are believed to have been killed.