The International Criminal Court in The Hague is facing a major leadership crisis after an internal executive office report formally recommended removing chief prosecutor Karim Khan. The recommendation follows internal investigations that concluded the evidence proves, beyond reasonable doubt, that Khan engaged in an improper sexual relationship while exploiting a power imbalance.
According to the report, the relationship began in March 2023 and developed over time. Investigators said that because of Khan’s position, any sexual relationship with the other party “could never have been appropriate.” The findings also describe conduct that allegedly escalated over time into non-consensual sexual contact.
The report says the alleged incidents occurred in Khan’s official office, in his private home, and during work trips. The internal findings were released only months after Khan launched a high-profile campaign against Israel, seeking arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza war.
Khan had said there was a “reasonable basis” to hold Israeli leaders criminally responsible for attacks on civilians and for using starvation as a method of warfare. His future will be decided on July 24, when the 125 member states of the court are set to vote on whether to adopt the executive office’s recommendation and remove him from office.
