United Nations investigators have widened their inquiry into alleged misconduct by International Criminal Court (ICC) Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan, adding accusations of retaliation against staff members to an already controversial case involving claims of sexual harassment.
According to Reuters, the investigation now includes allegations that Khan demoted at least four ICC staffers who had either reported or raised concerns about his behavior toward a female subordinate. The inquiry is being led by the UN’s Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), an independent body responsible for monitoring ethical conduct within UN-affiliated institutions.
Khan has categorically denied all accusations. His legal team stated that he “has not engaged in sexual misconduct of any kind and nor, to be clear, has he engaged in any ‘retaliatory behaviour’ as alleged.” They added that Khan looks forward to cooperating “fully and transparently” with the external investigation.
The ICC has confirmed that an external probe is underway, but Khan has remained in his post during the process. He continues to oversee high-profile investigations, including ongoing cases related to the conflict in Gaza.
The scandal comes amid heightened tensions surrounding Khan’s work. In February, the United States imposed sanctions on him after the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing alleged war crimes committed in Gaza. The U.S. government froze Khan’s assets and barred him from entering the country — a move widely interpreted as a political backlash against the court’s decisions.
Khan, who has served as chief prosecutor since 2021, has publicly suggested that the allegations are part of a broader campaign to undermine the ICC. He has pointed to what he describes as “a wide range of attacks and threats” targeting his office, particularly in the wake of politically sensitive investigations.
Despite its global mandate, the ICC faces significant limitations in its reach. While the court has jurisdiction over crimes committed in its 125 member states or by their nationals, major world powers including the U.S., Russia, and China are not parties to the Rome Statute and do not recognize the court’s authority.
The expanded investigation now casts a shadow over the ICC’s credibility at a time when its role in international justice — especially in conflicts like those in Ukraine and Gaza — is under intense scrutiny.
