Key facts
- Former EU high representative Josep Borrell accused the US and Israel of exploiting misconduct allegations against ICC prosecutor Karim Khan.
- Borrell believes this is an effort to neutralize the International Criminal Court (ICC).
- The Assembly of States Parties (ASP) is scheduled to vote on Karim Khan's future on July 24.
- The ASP's executive bureau previously found Khan committed 'serious misconduct', despite a judicial panel finding insufficient evidence.
- Khan has denied all allegations of misconduct.
- Borrell cited US threats against Khan after he sought arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Josep Borrell, the former EU high representative for foreign affairs, has accused the United States and Israel of exploiting sexual misconduct allegations against International Criminal Court chief prosecutor Karim Khan to neutralize the court. Borrell argued in an article published by Project Syndicate that this is part of a long-sought goal to weaken the ICC from within.
The Assembly of States Parties (ASP), comprising 125 member states, is set to vote on Khan's future on July 24. This follows a determination by the ASP's executive bureau that Khan committed "serious misconduct," despite a judicial panel concluding the evidence was insufficient. Khan has vehemently denied any wrongdoing.
Borrell highlighted procedural changes, including merging two votes into one, which he believes lowers the threshold for Khan's removal based on unsubstantiated accusations. He traced the case against Khan to April 2024, when US senators allegedly threatened him after he sought arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials, as well as Hamas officials. Borrell also referenced comments by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio about dismantling the ICC and noted that Washington had previously sanctioned 11 senior ICC officials, including Khan.
Furthermore, Borrell cited reporting that President Trump suggested China and Russia join the campaign against the ICC. He concluded that the US and Netanyahu aim to prevent international courts from holding their soldiers or allies accountable, viewing the 'Khan scandal' as an opportunity to weaken the court internally. Borrell praised Khan for his courage in seeking warrants against perceived untouchable suspects.