ICC investigates prosecutor who pursued arrests of Netanyahu and Putin, according to reports
The ICC’s governing body is set to initiate an external investigation into the conduct of its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, according to reports from AP and Reuters. Read Full Article at RT.com
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Karim Khan, the International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor, is reportedly under investigation for allegations of sexual abuse. This inquiry, now external, was initially looked into by the court’s internal watchdog but had been dropped shortly after its inception, according to reports from Reuters and the Associated Press.
The allegations first arose in May, shortly before Khan sought arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the then-defense minister, Yoav Gallant. Two ICC employees, to whom the alleged victim confided, have stepped forward stating that Khan had subjected her to sexual harassment. Although the woman participated in an interview with the internal watchdog, she chose not to file a formal complaint, citing distrust in that body.
Last month, the Assembly of States Parties, the ICC’s governing body, was informed of the sexual abuse allegations. At that time, Khan, denying any wrongdoing, requested that the ICC's internal oversight mechanism oversee the investigation.
Recently, an internal document was circulated among member states, suggesting that Khan should temporarily step down from his position during the inquiry, as reported by Reuters. However, it remains unclear whether he has been officially requested to do so.
In late May, British newspaper The Guardian collaborated with Israeli-Palestinian publication +972 Magazine and the Hebrew-language outlet Local Call to expose an alleged long-term Israeli spying and intimidation campaign targeted at the ICC.
The Guardian reported that Khan was under surveillance and that Netanyahu was allegedly informed ahead of Khan's intention to seek arrest warrants against both him and Gallant, despite “tremendous pressure from the United States.” The warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant were viewed as the result of a prolonged investigation the ICC has pursued against Israel since Palestine became a member in 2015, which Israeli officials interpreted as "war."
Israeli intelligence reportedly intercepted communications from the ICC, including those of Khan and his predecessor, Fatou Bensouda. Following the initiation of Bensouda's preliminary investigation into "the situation in Palestine," she reportedly experienced an intimidation attempt that the ICC attributed to Israeli actions, as informed sources disclosed to The Guardian.
In March 2023, during Khan's leadership, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Children’s Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova due to their alleged roles in the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. In response, Moscow labeled the orders as null and void, asserting that the evacuations were conducted for safety reasons, and the children could be returned to their parents or guardians upon request.
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this report for TROIB News
The allegations first arose in May, shortly before Khan sought arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the then-defense minister, Yoav Gallant. Two ICC employees, to whom the alleged victim confided, have stepped forward stating that Khan had subjected her to sexual harassment. Although the woman participated in an interview with the internal watchdog, she chose not to file a formal complaint, citing distrust in that body.
Last month, the Assembly of States Parties, the ICC’s governing body, was informed of the sexual abuse allegations. At that time, Khan, denying any wrongdoing, requested that the ICC's internal oversight mechanism oversee the investigation.
Recently, an internal document was circulated among member states, suggesting that Khan should temporarily step down from his position during the inquiry, as reported by Reuters. However, it remains unclear whether he has been officially requested to do so.
In late May, British newspaper The Guardian collaborated with Israeli-Palestinian publication +972 Magazine and the Hebrew-language outlet Local Call to expose an alleged long-term Israeli spying and intimidation campaign targeted at the ICC.
The Guardian reported that Khan was under surveillance and that Netanyahu was allegedly informed ahead of Khan's intention to seek arrest warrants against both him and Gallant, despite “tremendous pressure from the United States.” The warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant were viewed as the result of a prolonged investigation the ICC has pursued against Israel since Palestine became a member in 2015, which Israeli officials interpreted as "war."
Israeli intelligence reportedly intercepted communications from the ICC, including those of Khan and his predecessor, Fatou Bensouda. Following the initiation of Bensouda's preliminary investigation into "the situation in Palestine," she reportedly experienced an intimidation attempt that the ICC attributed to Israeli actions, as informed sources disclosed to The Guardian.
In March 2023, during Khan's leadership, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Children’s Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova due to their alleged roles in the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. In response, Moscow labeled the orders as null and void, asserting that the evacuations were conducted for safety reasons, and the children could be returned to their parents or guardians upon request.
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this report for TROIB News
