ICYMI: ICC Employee's Sexual Misconduct Claims Against Court Chief, Which He Denies

[littlemissmartypants]

Tonight, a world exclusive: The International Criminal Court, whose mission is global justice and accountability, faces serious allegations against their Chief Prosecutor, Karim Khan. His accuser sits down with us to tell her side of the story for the first time publicly. For months, the U.N.'s oversight office, known as the OIOS, investigated claims by this employee at the ICC that Khan sexually harassed her and subjected her to non-consensual sexual acts. We've obtained a copy of their report, which states that they quote: “found evidence showing a factual basis to [her] claims against Mr. Khan”. Khan denies all the allegations, and says it's the finding of a later judgment, one from a three-judge panel, that really matters: that panel found the report does not disprove the allegations of misconduct, but say the evidence does not meet the legal threshold of "beyond a reasonable doubt." According to the New York Times, following this, an executive body made up of 21 member states reached its conclusion, and suspended Karim Khan from his duties as Chief Prosecutor. Next Friday all 125 ICC member states will vote on whether Khan should be dismissed.

It's a moment of crisis for the court. In May 2024, Khan broke the news on this program that he was seeking arrest warrants for Israel's prime minister and defense minister, for crimes committed over the war in Gaza, as well as for Hamas officials for their actions on and after October 7th. The reaction from the U.S. and Israel was furious; and members of the court have since been subjected to sanctions and restrictions by the U.S., a pressure campaign that is ongoing. Just this week Secretary Of State Marco Rubio vowed to dismantle the ICC “brick by brick.” It was during this pressure campaign that allegations of sexual misconduct against Khan first emerged. But crucially, the allegations made by the woman at the heart of this story are unconnected to the ICC’s arrest warrants for top Israeli officials — the ICC report found – though many have tried to conflate the two, some supporters of Khan going so far as to falsely accuse her of working at Israel’s behest; even of being a Mossad agent attempting to discredit him and his war crimes case. Karim Khan has spoken publicly in recent weeks, in interviews and public addresses, denying the allegations. Tonight we hear from the woman accusing him — her name is Sarah. She has asked us not to broadcast her last name. She has worked at the ICC since 2017 and is still employed there. She says she never wanted to be in this position; it is still difficult for her to talk about.

Tonight on Amanpour and Company Airs weekdays at PBS. Check local listings.

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