French newspaper Le Monde has reported extensive details of a fierce blackmail campaign targeting the International Criminal Court’s Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan.
The campaign was made against the backdrop of Khan’s efforts to build and pursue lawsuits against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former defense minister Joa Garant and other Israeli officials over alleged war crimes, the Middle Eastern Eye reported.
Khan took a vacation in mid-May after attempting to pause him, and was urged by senior members of his own office and failed. This was in an ongoing UN investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against prosecutors.
In the story released on Friday, the French newspaper cited British barrister Andrew Kayley. He oversaw the ICC’s Palestinian investigation and informed him that the Dutch intelligence agency was at risk for the Hague.
Kayley said he was threatened directly in December 2024: “I was told I am Israel’s enemy and should look at my back.”