The International Criminal Court (ICC) is grappling with a deepening crisis as sexual abuse allegations against its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, threaten to overshadow his pursuit of arrest warrants for Israeli officials over the Gaza conflict. The British lawyer, who has denied the claims, faces a lengthy investigation by a committee of diplomats from 21 of the court's 125 member states.
The allegations, first made nearly two years ago by a former female employee, have become mired in geopolitical tensions and disputes over legal standards of proof. Khan's representatives argue the accusations are part of a smear campaign aimed at discrediting his 2024 decision to seek warrants for senior Israeli figures over alleged crimes in Gaza.
Last week, the oversight committee voted to proceed with the case against Khan, despite efforts to dismiss it as politically motivated. The process, which involves weighing two detailed reports, could take months to conclude, leaving the court in a state of uncertainty.
The crisis is considered the most serious since the ICC was established 24 years ago, as it tests the institution's ability to handle internal misconduct while pursuing high-profile international cases. The outcome could have significant implications for the court's credibility and its handling of the Gaza warrants.
