The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, is facing new allegations of sexual misconduct from a second woman. This development follows accusations made last year by an aide who claimed that Khan forced her into sexual intercourse multiple times in 2023 and 2024, during trips to New York and Paris, as well as at the ICC’s headquarters in The Hague.
The latest accuser, who worked as an unpaid intern for Khan in 2019, alleges that he subjected her to unwanted sexual advances and attempted to pressure her into sexual relations. According to her account, these actions included inappropriate touching. She chose not to report the incidents at the time, citing her need for a recommendation from Khan at the conclusion of her internship.
Khan’s legal team at the firm Carter-Ruck has categorically denied the allegations, calling them “entirely false.” In a statement provided to the *New York Sun*, the firm noted that the second accuser has not been treated as a complainant in the ongoing investigation but rather as a witness. They emphasized that she only recently raised her new allegations towards the conclusion of the inquiry.
The firm asserts that Khan has furnished investigators with evidence that contradicts her claims. They argue that this evidence proves her allegations are not only false but also “bizarre and wholly implausible.”
Khan temporarily stepped down from his role in May 2023 while the investigation into the original allegations is ongoing. He maintains his innocence regarding both sets of accusations. The second accuser provided her account to *The Guardian*, stating that she experienced a “constant onslaught” of advances from Khan during her internship.
Reflecting on her experience, she remarked, “He shouldn’t have been doing it. He was my employer.” She described an incident where Khan allegedly “groped” her with an unconsented “prolonged” caress.
Khan’s legal representatives argue that there have been “grossly inappropriate and improper attempts” to undermine his character, suggesting that these allegations are part of a broader campaign against him due to his role in issuing arrest warrants for Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, linked to their actions during the Gaza War.
The investigation into Khan is still ongoing, and its findings will be critical in determining whether any official actions will be taken, including the possibility of his removal from office. No timeline has been provided regarding the conclusion of this inquiry.
