The International Criminal Court (ICC) is grappling with a deepening crisis as its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, faces disciplinary proceedings over sexual abuse allegations. The British lawyer, who has led the court's prosecutions since 2021, denies the claims, which were made nearly two years ago by a former female colleague.
A committee of 21 diplomats from the ICC's 125 member states has been meeting weekly at the court's headquarters in The Hague to review two lengthy reports on the allegations. Last week, the committee voted to advance the case, a move Khan's representatives have framed as an attempt to discredit him following his 2024 decision to seek arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials over alleged crimes in Gaza.
The process has become entangled in geopolitics and disputes over standards of proof, with the Gaza warrants adding a layer of complexity. The case marks the most serious crisis for the court since its establishment 24 years ago, and a final resolution may still be months away.
