- After the ICC’s arrest warrant on Israeli prime minister Netanyahu, president Trump has sanctioned the ICC chief prosecutor, Karim Khan.
- Karim Khan has lost his Microsoft email after being sanctioned and is now on leave.
The International Criminal Courts chief prosecutor Karim Khan has been granted a leave of absence due to investigations into alleged misconduct.
It comes after Khan has been the only ICC official to be named in the US sanctions imposed by Washington in February along with a probe into misconduct by the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight.
Khan informed the Assembly of States Parties (ASP), the governing body of the court that he would step aside until the conclusion of the investigation.
The ICC has said in a statement: “In assuming leadership, the deputy prosecutors underline the importance of ensuring continuity of the office’s activities across all areas of work, and particularly in its mission to investigate and prosecute the most serious crimes with independence and impartiality.”
The effects of sanctions
Khan’s application for arrest warrants for Israeli leaders last year over war crimes charges has provoked the United States to sanction him and those who cooperate with the court, shortly after Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Trump’s sanctions order goes as far as financial and visa sanctions on Khan as well as other non-US individuals and their family members who assist in ICC investigations of US citizens or allies who are considered complicit in the overall holding of Israel to account.
Khan lost access to his official email hosted by US company Microsoft, and instead he started using the Swiss email provider Proton Mail.
The Associated Press suggested reported last week that the court’s work has been brought to a halt , including its investigations into atrocities in Sudan.
Six senior ICC officials have quit their jobs over fears of sanctions according to AP news.
It is unclear whether Khan’s temporary leave is due to sanctions or if it played a part.
Khan said in a letter to Reuters: “My decision is driven by deep and unwavering commitment to the credibility of our office and the court, and to safeguard the integrity of the process and fairness to all involved.”
