Sex scandal: ICC's Karim Khan accused of sexual assault — Netanyahu arrested just days later

The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) controversial move to seek arrest warrants against Israeli leaders came less than three weeks after its Chief Prosecutor, Karim Khan, was accused of sexually assaulting one of his assistants, The Wall Street Journal has reported.

According to the publication, the allegations stem from an incident that occurred with mounting international pressure on the ICC to act against Israel in the wake of its response to the October 7 massacre. Sources told the Journal that Khan had become increasingly volatile behind the scenes, reportedly lashing out at staff. When one female assistant attempted to confront him about his behavior, events allegedly took a disturbing turn.

The woman, a Malaysian national in her 30s, testified that Khan summoned her to his suite at the Millennium Hilton Hotel, located near the United Nations headquarters in New York. There, she said, Khan sexually assaulted her and blocked her from leaving the room. She further alleged that the incident was not isolated but part of a broader pattern of misconduct by the prosecutor.

Initially, the assistant reportedly kept silent, fearing for both her job and the health of her mother, who was undergoing cancer treatment and depended on her financially. She also expressed deep concern about potential retaliation from Khan, a figure with significant power within the Court.

Less than three weeks after learning of the sexual assault allegations against him, ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan made a stunning decision in May 2024, announcing that he was seeking arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The announcement, which sent shockwaves through international circles, came during an interview with CNN, marking a break from standard protocol.

Despite counsel from fellow ICC prosecutors advising against such an informal release, Khan chose to make the revelation in a public forum rather than through official channels.

The timing and unusual method of the announcement have raised serious concerns among legal and diplomatic experts, sparking speculation that the warrants may be linked to the accusations against Khan. Sources close to the matter suggest that his sudden shift toward a more aggressive stance against Israel could be part of an effort to bolster his standing with international critics of Israel’s actions during the ongoing Hamas-Israel conflict. This change in approach had seemed to secure Khan’s support among parties that had criticized his earlier, more cautious stance.

While Khan has vehemently denied both the allegations of sexual assault and any suggestion that the arrest warrants were motivated by his personal situation, reports indicate that his handling of the investigation into Israel may have been more personal than previously believed.

One such report suggests that Khan sought to manipulate the investigation to silence his accuser, who had been a vocal supporter of the ICC's probe into Israel. According to the account, Khan allegedly told her, "Think about the Palestinian arrest warrants," seemingly attempting to pressure her into compliance with his stance.