ICC prosecutor in Netanyahu arrest case steps aside over alleged sex assault accusation
The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor, Karim Khan, has been forced to step down amid allegations of sexual misconduct. The court announced that Khan will take leave pending the outcome of an investigation into the accusations against him. Khan has denied the allegations, but pressure has been mounting for him to resign.
Last year, two court employees came forward with accusations against Khan, prompting an investigation by the court’s internal watchdog. While the watchdog could not determine wrongdoing, it recommended that Khan minimize contact with the woman who made the allegations to protect the rights of all involved.
Khan has been facing increasing pressure on multiple fronts, including sanctions imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump in relation to his warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The Wall Street Journal reported that Khan’s decision to prosecute Israeli leaders raised questions about his motives, with some suggesting that he was trying to deflect attention from the sexual assault allegations against him.
Khan’s lawyers have vehemently denied the allegations, stating that their client has not engaged in any sexual misconduct. They also defended Khan’s decision to seek arrest warrants against Israeli leaders, saying that the evidence met the legal threshold required under the Rome Statute.
Legal experts have raised concerns about the integrity of the ICC case against Israeli leaders, arguing that the allegations of prosecutorial misconduct cast doubt on the entire institution. Calls have been made for the ICC to rescind the arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant, but the outcome of that request remains uncertain.
The scandal surrounding Khan has highlighted broader issues within the ICC, with critics questioning the institution’s ability to provide justice and due process. The United Nations, which oversees the ICC, has refrained from commenting on the situation.
As the investigation into Khan’s alleged misconduct continues, the future of the ICC and its cases against Israeli leaders remains uncertain. The fallout from this scandal may have far-reaching implications for the court and its credibility in the international community.
