ICC prosecutor Karim Khan faces public misconduct claims
An ICC lawyer identified as Sarah gave her first public interview on July 16, 2026, accusing Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan of sexual misconduct, including non-consensual touching and harassment during her time as his direct assistant. Khan denies any wrongdoing. ICC member states will vote July 24 on whether to remove him from office. The allegations have pushed the Hague-based court into a leadership crisis even as it faces U.S. sanctions and diplomatic pressure over high-profile war-crimes investigations.
Key Takeaways
- Sarah, a Malaysian lawyer who worked directly for Karim Khan, spoke publicly to CNN on July 16 for the first time since allegations emerged in 2024.
- A UN Office of Internal Oversight Services report found a factual basis for her claims, according to a confidential copy obtained by CNN; Khan has repeatedly denied wrongdoing.
- ICC diplomats suspended Khan in June and recommended dismissing him for serious misconduct involving a junior staff member.
- The Netherlands said it will vote to remove Karim Khan at a July 24 special session of the court's 125 member states.
- Sarah denied claims that she acted as a foreign intelligence agent, calling such suggestions baseless in her interview with Christiane Amanpour.
What did Sarah allege against Karim Khan?
In an interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour, Sarah described what she called an escalation of unwanted physical and emotional contact while she served as Khan's assistant. She alleged groping, attempted kissing, and non-consensual sexual contact in his office, at his home, and on official travel.
She recounted one incident during a visit to Colombia, saying Khan entered her hotel room and touched her intimately while she pretended to be asleep. According to a leaked UN investigative report seen by CNN, she also alleged digital and genital penetration without consent.
The Guardian reported that a second woman, identified by the pseudonym Patricia, also spoke publicly about alleged misconduct. Sarah, who has worked at the ICC since 2017, said she never wanted to go public and described feeling humiliated.
How has Karim Khan responded?
Karim Khan, a 56-year-old British barrister, has denied the allegations in full. His lawyer, Sareta Ashraph, told CNN he denies any form of sexual contact, relationship, consensual or non-consensual, with Sarah.
Some defenders have suggested the claims are politically motivated because of Khan's decision to seek arrest warrants against senior Israeli officials. In her interview, Sarah rejected that narrative and denied acting as a state agent. The UN report cited multiple witnesses who dismissed the idea she was a spy.
Why does the Netherlands support removing Karim Khan?
On July 16, the Dutch government said it plans to vote for Khan's removal at next week's special Assembly of States Parties session. The Netherlands hosts the ICC in The Hague.
In a letter to parliament signed by the ministers of justice and foreign affairs, the government said it would follow the court's governing body, which concluded Khan committed serious misconduct. Diplomats on the ICC oversight body have decided he had an inappropriate sexual relationship with a junior staff member and should be fired, according to Reuters.
The letter added that most member states appear to align with that recommendation, though the balance of support is still evolving. Khan has called his June suspension unjustified and unlawful.
What happens at the July 24 ICC vote?
The ICC's 125 member states are scheduled to meet July 24 to vote on Khan's fate following more than 18 months of investigations. The court suspended him in June while disciplinary proceedings continued.
The vote comes during a broader crisis for the ICC, which has faced U.S. sanctions on top officials over investigations Washington says run against U.S. and Israeli interests. For ongoing governance and institutional risk updates, follow our Fintech & Crypto Alerts coverage.