As the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor Karim Khan pushes for war crimes charges against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin, he faces accusations of attempting to coerce a female aide into a sexual relationship and engaging in inappropriate behavior, according to recent reports.
Khan, who has denied the allegations, claimed "no truth to suggestions of misconduct," while ICC officials suggested the claims might be part of an Israeli intelligence campaign to undermine his work.
The alleged victim confided in two colleagues at the ICC headquarters in The Hague, who then reported the incidents to the court’s independent watchdog in May. The watchdog interviewed her but concluded the inquiry within five days after she chose not to file a formal complaint. Khan was reportedly not questioned.
The AP report outlining the allegations revealed that Khan moved the woman from another department into his office, granting her a pay raise. She allegedly became a regular presence at meetings and official trips. At one dinner in London, he reportedly held her hand and discussed personal marital issues. Further alleged misconduct included Khan asking her to rest with him on a hotel bed, an early-morning visit to her hotel room, and locking his office door while inappropriately touching her.
The woman, who continues to work at the ICC, refrained from publicly discussing the allegations but has requested an external investigation overseen by ICC member states.
Despite the watchdog’s inability to substantiate the accusations, it advised Khan to minimize contact with the aide, emphasizing the importance of upholding court integrity.
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