In recent weeks, the name Karim Khan, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), has surfaced prominently in international discussions, especially after his request two days ago for an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Defense Minister Yoav Galant, along with three senior Hamas leaders. His name became even more notable today following a proposal by several American lawmakers for sanctions against members of that court, Khan being at the forefront.
So, why has this man upset many around the world and received threats? This British lawyer, known for his quiet yet fierce approach, is recognized for his urgency in implementing international law, having transformed the ICC, which was traditionally known for its deliberative pace before making decisions. His swift actions to issue arrest warrants against war leaders in Ukraine last year, and now in Gaza, underscore Khan's boldness, as he proceeds without fear or favoritism despite facing threats.
Just a few days ago, in an interview with CNN, he noted that he had received "brazen" threats, revealing that a prominent international leader told him that "the ICC was created for African countries and bullies like Putin," referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin. After the ICC called for arrest warrants against leaders from Israel and Hamas for alleged war crimes, Khan has gained significant notoriety, and his decisions have captivated global audiences. This even prompted U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to openly declare that he would work with U.S. lawmakers to consider imposing sanctions on the court and its members. However, Khan has repeatedly asserted that he will not yield, according to the Guardian.
Who is this contentious lawyer?
- Khan, 50 years old, was appointed Prosecutor of the ICC in 2021.
- In a secret ballot, the Briton surpassed candidates from Ireland, Spain, and Italy to win in the second round of voting with the support of 72 countries—ten more than the required 62.
- While studying law at King’s College London, Khan showed an early interest in international justice and human rights.
- In his first published interview after becoming the ICC Prosecutor, the prominent lawyer told Counsel magazine that witnessing the horrors of the Balkan War on television motivated him to work at the ICC for the former Yugoslavia, a goal he achieved.
- He was not originally on the shortlist for the ICC role but was added partly due to the insistence of the Kenyan government after he worked as defense counsel for Kenyan Vice President William Ruto, who was accused of committing crimes against humanity following the violent events in the country in 2007, which resulted in 1,200 deaths. The ICC dropped these charges in 2016 after describing it as a "worrying incident of witness tampering and intolerable political interference," while one key witness was killed in 2014.
- Before the ICC elections, Khan addressed this matter in an open letter, detailing how he did everything possible to prevent intimidation by ensuring the individual was placed under witness protection and then seeking an investigation. However, skepticism arose regarding his suitability for the ICC role, partly due to his defense of Charles Taylor, the former Liberian president convicted of war crimes in a special court in Sierra Leone.
- Khan's insistence, as Prosecutor, on pursuing alleged war crimes has placed him on Russia's wanted list, and he recently faced threats from Republican senators in the U.S. Congress due to his investigations related to Gaza. This has led the ICC to issue a statement warning against attempts to obstruct its officials, intimidate them, or inappropriately influence them.
