Karim Khan has discovered what “accountability” feels like when you’re the one being held to it. The International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor, who made a career intoning about the rule of law and the transgressions of Israel, has been fired for his own alleged transgressions.
Even more surprising is the firing was found by the heavily anti-Israel, pro-Palestine member states that hired him, after an internal UN investigation found a “serious breach of duty” and “serious misconduct” involving a junior staffer.
The oversight bureau concluded Khan had an inappropriate sexual relationship with a subordinate that, in the context of the power imbalance, “can never be appropriate,” with findings of non‑consensual sexual contact in his office, home and on official missions.
A historic secret ballot in New York then sealed his fate with ICC member states voted to dismiss the once-leading British barrister – a first for the court.
Khan denies everything and brands the process “unlawful” and “procedurally unfair,” which may sound rich coming from the guy who used to explain to heads of state that no one is above the law.
The ICC, meanwhile, is left insisting it can still police global crimes, even as it struggles to show it can manage its own office politics.
