ICC Swears in Top Global Defense Lawyer as Prosecutor

The International Criminal Court has sworn in a top international defense lawyer as its new prosecutor.
 
British lawyer Karim Khan inherits investigations from outgoing prosecutor Fatou Bensouda in unsettled areas, such as the Palestinian territories, Myanmar and Afghanistan.
 
The 51-year-old Khan, who previously led the United Nations’ special team investigating Islamic State crimes in Iraq, vowed to reach out to non-member nations in his effort to end immunity for atrocities.  
 
The United States, Russia and China are not members of the 123-member ICC and do not recognize its authority.
 
The ICC, in need of resources, is currently handling 14 investigations and eight preliminary probes. Khan will be scrutinized as he handles investigations opposed by non-member countries like the United States, Russia and Israel.
 
The Trump administration sanctioned Bensouda over her decision to investigate allegations of war crimes in Afghanistan, including by American troops, and by Israeli troops and other armed groups in Palestinian territories.
 
President Joe Biden’s top U.S. diplomat, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, lifted the sanctions against Bensouda on April 2.
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