The alleged abuse is said to have occurred several years ago and involves Khan exploiting his position to make unwanted sexual invitations and physical advances towards the woman, who was then doing unpaid internship with Khan.
The Chief Prosecutor has voluntarily stepped down from his duties within the ICC while another investigation against him is ongoing – also concerning unwanted advances of a sexual nature towards a colleague.
Khan asserts his innocence and his defense lawyers dismiss all allegations directed against him.
During his time as Chief Prosecutor for the ICC, Khan has led several high-profile investigations that have received extensive international attention. Among other things, he has issued arrest warrants against Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom the court wants to investigate for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The high profile has been costly for Khan and his colleagues, who have been barred from entering the USA. The government in Washington has also imposed economic sanctions against them, and against actors who have dealings with them.
Last year, reported The Guardian that Israeli intelligence services for several years conducted a smear campaign against the ICC. The newspaper has not found any evidence that this would have any connection to the cases currently being investigated.
