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Sexual abuse

Karim Khan, ICC Chief Prosecutor, Takes Leave Amid Allegations of Sexual Misconduct

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Karim Khan, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), will temporarily step aside until an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against him is completed. The investigation, conducted by the UN's Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), is examining claims of unwanted sexual touching, coercive behavior, and abuse of authority. Khan, a British lawyer, has faced backlash from his staff in recent months over his decision to resist calls to take leave until the investigation is resolved.

Key Takeaways:

  • Karim Khan, the ICC's chief prosecutor, will take a leave of absence until an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct reaches a conclusion.
  • The investigation, conducted by the UN's Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), is examining claims of unwanted sexual touching, coercive behavior, and abuse of authority.
  • Khan has faced pressure from senior court officials and staff to step aside after new details of the allegations were published in the media.
  • The investigation is also examining claims that Khan engaged in witness intimidation and retaliation against members of his staff.
  • Khan's deputy prosecutors will manage the prosecutor's office during his leave, which was communicated to staff in a statement.
  • Khan previously denied all allegations and said he would cooperate with the inquiry.
  • The investigation is expected to report back to the president of the court's governing body in the coming months.

Statistics:

  • 2021: The year Karim Khan was elected to serve a nine-year term as chief prosecutor of the ICC.
  • 55: Karim Khan's age at the time of the allegations.
  • 2 days: The duration of the interview between investigators and Karim Khan last week.
  • November: The month the allegations against Karim Khan were announced.
  • OIOS: The UN agency conducting the investigation into Karim Khan's alleged misconduct.
  • Visit the OIOS website [www.un.org/monaco] for information on the investigation.

Sources:

  • The Guardian
  • AP (Marwan Ali)
  • UN's Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS)

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