Latest news with #KarimKhan
Saba Yemen
6 days ago
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
Hague Prosecutor Prepares Arrest Warrants for Smotrich, Ben-Gvir
Occupied Quds - Saba: The Wall Street Journal reported that Karim Khan, the chief prosecutor at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, intends to issue international arrest warrants against extremist Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir before he goes on administrative leave due to the investigation against him. The report stated that the arrest warrants against Smotrich and Ben-Gvir were intended for their involvement in settlement expansion in the West Bank, and that the decision was passed to Khan's deputies, and it is unclear how they will act. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
ICC prosecutor sought arrest warrants for Ben-Gvir, Smotrich before going on leave
Khan reportedly prepared to seek these warrants before he went on leave as the UN investigates sexual assault allegations made against him. International Criminal Court (ICC) chief prosecutor Karim Khan allegedly planned to issue arrest warrants for National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday. Khan reportedly prepared to seek these warrants before he went on leave as the UN investigates sexual assault allegations made against him, the Wall Street Journal noted. The cases againstSmotrich and Ben-Gvir were based on their positions in expanding the Jewish settlements within the West Bank. The decision to move forward with these cases is to be made by Khan's two deputies. As of yet, it is unknown how they choose to proceed, the Wall Street Journal reported. If pursued, these cases would escalate the tensions between the ICC and Israel beyond just the war in Gaza, but move it further into the West Bank. The ICC stated that since 2014, when the PA accepted its jurisdiction, the ICC has a mandate to look into the crimes that are committed within the Palestinian territories, the report noted. The report then went on to discuss the fact that the ICC prosecutors have been trying to discern ifBen-Gvir and Smotrich have committed war crimes that go against the Geneva Convention due to their efforts to expand the Jewish settlements in the West Bank. A Malaysian lawyer who had worked as a close aide to Khan and accompanied him on multiple overseas trips told United Nations investigators that he coerced her into non-consensual sexual encounters in New York, Paris, and The Hague. She said she initially remained silent due to fears of professional retaliation and concern over her mother's medical expenses. The allegations were formally reported to senior ICC officials in April 2024, the Wall Street Journal earlier reported. Khan reportedly learned of the complaint shortly before canceling a scheduled trip to Israel and Gaza. Days later, he publicly announced the court's intention to seek arrest warrants for Netanyahu and then-defense minister Yoav Gallant. The timing raised questions within the court and among diplomats over whether the decision was influenced by growing scrutiny around Khan's personal conduct. Khan has denied all accusations. His legal team said that his work as a prosecutor was based solely on legal and evidentiary considerations. 'It is categorically untrue that he has engaged in sexual misconduct of any kind,' they said. According to the Wall Street Journal, Khan pressured the complainant to retract her allegations. He warned her that pursuing the matter would damage both their reputations and undermine the ICC's work. He reportedly told her, 'Think about the Palestinian arrest warrants.'
Wall Street Journal
28-05-2025
- General
- Wall Street Journal
ICC Top Prosecutor Was Preparing Arrest Warrants for Far-Right Israeli Politicians
PARIS—International Criminal Court chief prosecutor Karim Khan was preparing to seek arrest warrants for two far-right Israeli cabinet members before he went on leave as the United Nations investigates sexual-assault allegations against him, current and former court officials said. The cases, against Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, center on their roles in expanding Jewish settlements in the West Bank, the officials said. A decision on whether to pursue the cases falls to Khan's two deputies, and it is unclear how they plan to proceed.
LeMonde
27-05-2025
- Politics
- LeMonde
'The ICC must act now to clear its reputation so that it is able to carry out its crucial work'
On Friday, May 16, the announcement that Karim Khan, the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), has "temporarily stepped down" from his post is a necessary step forward in addressing an ongoing crisis of enormous proportions. But it is not the end of the matter. Rather, Khan's move only underscores the imperative for an ongoing United Nations investigation to be completed expeditiously, and for the responsible governing bodies to dispel the stench of alleged impropriety hanging over the Court. Since its birth a quarter of a century ago, the ICC has repeatedly been attacked for holding the powerful to account. In recent years, it has been accused of double standards for failing to take on officials from Western powers, it suffered a cyber-attack on its information systems and its judges were themselves targeted with Russian arrest warrants. This February, US President Donald Trump imposed property blocking and travel ban sanctions on the Prosecutor and anyone who assists his work. Now, the ICC faces a dire threat from within that must be addressed immediately if the institution is to survive. Startling allegations have emerged that Khan sexually coerced a staff member and then retaliated against the victim and others to cover it up [no criminal complaint has been filed]. The ICC answers to the 125 governments that are signatories to the Rome Statute and make up the Assembly of States Parties (ASP). It's their responsibility to act to protect the Court and its credibility. An institution that depends on moral legitimacy for its authority cannot afford to squander it by ignoring the allegations or dragging them out. And a court that prosecutes the most serious crimes, including rape, cannot do so when its prosecutor is credibly accused of similar acts. Conclude the investigation swiftly A UN-led investigation into Khan's alleged misconduct and retaliation has been going on for more than six months. But there's yet to be a report. The ASP's oversight bureau of 18 states and its president must ensure the investigation is completed expeditiously, that it's not prolonged to shy away from difficult choices like taking disciplinary measures and that there will be clear consequences when the investigation report is issued.
The Guardian
23-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Mossad investigation among Guardian prizes at UK Press Awards
An investigation into a covert operation by the Mossad to sabotage an international criminal court war crimes investigation is among the Guardian journalism recognised at the UK's Press Awards. The stories by investigations correspondent Harry Davies lifted the lid on the activities of Israel's foreign intelligence agency, which are usually a closely guarded secret. The revelations came after months of reporting by the Guardian in collaboration with journalists at the Israeli-Palestinian publication +972 Magazine and the Hebrew-language outlet Local Call. The story caused questions to be asked about Yossi Cohen, the Mossad director who led the offensive and threatened the then prosecutor Fatou Bensouda in a series of secret meetings. The investigation emerged as the current chief prosecutor Karim Khan announced he was seeking arrest warrants for Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and his defence minister, Yoav Gallant, for war crimes and crimes against humanity. The judges described the project as 'brave and collaborative journalism'. They said: 'This is an extremely important story, diligently reported, with global ramifications. For exclusivity, impact and investigative skills, this ticks all the boxes.' Marina Hyde was named broadsheet columnist of the year, with recognition for her analysis of the election result in which she said there were 'moments worthy of entire Netflix specials as in sports halls and community centres various Dickensian grotesques were ushered into their Christmas future, live on stage'. Highly commended in the campaign of the year category was the Guardian's Killed Women Count project, highlighting the toll and tragedy of violence against women in the UK and the push for more action to stop it. Led by senior reporter Alexandra Topping, it documented the death of a woman every three days and attempted to ensure each incident did not become 'background noise' but was given the attention it deserved. Since January 2024, the Guardian has reported on every woman allegedly killed by a man, highlighting the work of organisations like Counting Dead Women, the Femicide Census, Killed Women and others. Charlotte Edwardes was highly commended for her in-depth interviews, including one with prime minister Keir Starmer, written as she followed him around the country during the general election campaign. The Guardian's Reclaim Your Brain newsletter was commended in the award for best audience engagement initiative. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion Jenny Kleeman was recognised in the broadsheet feature writer of the year award, including for a piece examining the US pronatalist movement, 'on a mission to save humanity by having as many babies as possible'.
