ICC confirms external probe into sexual misconduct accusations against top prosecutor Khan

The International Criminal Court in The Hague confirms that it will launch an external probe into sexual misconduct accusations against its top prosecutor, keeping alive a case that the court’s internal watchdog had closed within five days.

A statement from the president of the Assembly of States Parties, the world court’s management oversight and legislative body, says that the Independent Oversight Mechanism (IOM) will lead the external investigation.

“I must insist on due respect for the privacy and the rights of all involved parties, as well as the confidentiality of such an investigation. Further information can only be shared once the investigation has concluded,” the statement adds.

The ICC’s top prosecutor Karim Khan announced in May that he was seeking arrest warrants against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his then-defense minister Yoav Gallant, and three Hamas leaders — all of whom have since been killed — on war crimes charges. A three-judge panel is now weighing that request. Israel has rejected the charges out of hand.

Khan has categorically denied accusations that he tried to coerce a female aide into a sexual relationship.

The decision to launch an external probe came as the court comes under pressure from US senators to not issue warrants over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza until the misconduct claims are investigated.