The ICC says he will deny it as Karim Khan has pending conclusions on UN-LED’s investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct.
Karim Khan, the International Criminal Court (ICC), is on leave as the conclusion of the UN-LED investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against him is pending.
Khan’s office said Friday that it had informed colleagues that it would temporarily stand aside until the UN Internal Monitoring Services (OIOS) concluded its probe. OIOS has been conducting external investigations since December after a complaint was filed at the ICC watchdog.
The ICC said Khan will remain on vacation until the investigation is finished, although the timeline for its completion remains unknown. During his absence, two prosecutors in the court assume his responsibility.
Khan’s lawyers said he rejected all allegations of fraud and only briefly stepped aside for intense media scrutiny, making it difficult for him to effectively carry out his work.
“Our clients are still prosecutors and have not resigned and are not intending to do so,” said Carter Lack, a UK-based law firm, in a statement.
Khan’s decision to stand aside will temporarily follow months of increasing pressure from human rights groups and several court authorities that urged him to withdraw while the investigation is underway.
“Stomping over helps protect the reliability of the court and the trust of the victims, staff and the public. For the victims and whistleblowers, this is also a moment of recognition and dignity.”
The court has not been confirmed when the OIOS investigation is concluded, but the case comes at a time of growing global scrutiny of the role and reliability of the ICC.
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The decision will be brought by the court as it pursues well-known investigations, including Russia’s attacks on Ukraine and Israel’s war on Gaza.
Khan has called for a warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for allegedly illegal deportation of Russian Ukrainians and former defense minister Joab Gallant on suspicion of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and war crimes in Gaza.
The US, a voice critic of the court’s recent move, has imposed sanctions against Khan over the pursuit of Israeli officials. ICC leadership warns that such political attacks could put the agency’s survival at risk.