UN Investigation Intensifies into Allegations Against ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is facing one of the most serious controversies in its history after a female lawyer who worked directly for Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan publicly accused him of sexual misconduct.

The woman, identified only as Sarah at her request, told CNN that the alleged misconduct began after she became Khan’s assistant in February 2023 and continued for about a year. She alleged repeated unwanted physical contact, harassment, and non-consensual sexual acts.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, Sarah said the behavior escalated gradually, beginning with emotional boundary violations before becoming increasingly physical.

She explained that she often felt unable to refuse Khan’s alleged advances because of the significant power imbalance between them. Sarah also feared losing her job, her income, and the work visa that allows her to live in the Netherlands with her husband and son.

“There is no way for something to be consensual when you have such a power disparity,” Sarah said. “Mr. Khan was not just my boss—he was everyone’s boss.”

According to a confidential UN investigative report obtained by CNN, the allegations include repeated unwanted touching, attempted kissing, and other alleged non-consensual sexual acts.

Karim Khan has consistently denied all allegations, maintaining that the claims are false.

The United Nations continues to investigate the matter, while ICC member states are expected to vote this month on whether Khan should remain in office.

The case has sparked renewed debate over accountability, workplace conduct, and abuse of power within one of the world’s leading international judicial institutions.