Karim Khan Prosecutor defies sexual abuse claims

The chief prosecutor of the international criminal court has secured arrest warrants in its most politically charged cases just as the judicial body grapples with an unprecedented crisis.

- Harry Davies

Karim Khan, whose request for warrants against Israeli and Hamas leaders was granted yesterday, is facing allegations of sexual misconduct, which will be examined by external investigators.

The inquiry, which is understood to be in its early stages, will focus on claims about Khan's alleged conduct towards a woman who worked directly for him. In October, the Guardian reported the allegations included claims of unwanted sexual touching and "abuse" over an extended period, as well as of coercive behaviour and abuse of authority.

Lawyers for Khan, 54, have said he "denies the whole ofthe allegations". The alleged victim, a lawyer in her 305 who worked for Khan, has previously declined to comment.