British Lawyer Accused of Using Gaza to Threaten Sexual Assault Accuser in War Crimes Case Against Israel
3 minute readPublished: Monday, May 12, 2025 at 6:22 am
ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan Accused of Using Gaza to Pressure Sexual Assault Accuser
A major controversy has erupted surrounding Karim Khan KC, the British chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Accusations have surfaced alleging Khan used the ongoing war crimes investigation against Israel in Gaza to pressure a female colleague to drop sexual assault allegations against him.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Khan, who has been leading efforts to prosecute Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, allegedly used the plight of Palestinians as leverage. The investigation claims to have heard recordings of Khan pleading with the accuser, reportedly a Malaysian woman in her 30s, to drop the allegations, citing potential harm to the "justice of the victims." He is accused of repeatedly pressuring her into non-consensual sexual intercourse on multiple occasions, including in hotel rooms and residences.
The alleged victim, also a lawyer, reportedly felt trapped and reluctant to report the incidents due to fear of losing her job and the financial impact on her family. The UN is currently investigating the claims, which include allegations of sexual misconduct on work trips and at his wife's residence.
Khan's lawyers deny the allegations, stating they are "categorically untrue." They also claim Khan informed the US State Department of his intention to seek arrest warrants for Netanyahu before the allegations surfaced and is seeking an external investigation.
This situation is particularly sensitive given Khan's high-profile role and his recent efforts to seek arrest warrants for both Israeli and Hamas leaders related to the conflict in Gaza. His actions have drawn strong reactions, with former US President Joe Biden condemning the ICC's actions and Israeli officials calling it a moral outrage.
BNN's Perspective: This situation presents a complex challenge. If the allegations against Khan are true, it is a serious breach of trust and a betrayal of his position. However, it is also crucial to avoid any attempts to discredit the ICC's investigation into potential war crimes in Gaza based on these allegations. The two issues should be treated separately, and a thorough, impartial investigation is essential to determine the truth.
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