ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan Suspended Over Sexual Misconduct Allegations
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has suspended its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, following disciplinary proceedings initiated by the court’s oversight body. The 56-year-old British barrister faces allegations of sexual misconduct with a female aide, a scandal that has persisted for over two years. Khan has consistently denied any wrongdoing, and a final decision on his future will be made by the Assembly of States Parties, the ICC’s governing body.
Background of the Suspension
The Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties, the executive committee overseeing the ICC, announced the suspension based on a report by the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS). The investigation found evidence of “nonconsensual sexual contact” between Khan and the aide in his office, private residence, and during official missions, according to a copy of the report obtained by The Associated Press (AP). However, a three-judge panel appointed by the oversight body concluded the investigation lacked conclusive evidence.
Khan temporarily stepped down in May 2025 while the investigation unfolded. The process marks an unprecedented situation for the ICC, requiring the Assembly to establish new procedural rules to address the case. The allegations, first reported to the court’s watchdog over two years ago, include claims that Khan moved the aide to his office and later accompanied her on official trips, including a hotel stay where he allegedly “sexually touched her” and locked his office door to “stick his hand in her pocket.”
Next Steps for the Assembly of States Parties
The Assembly of States Parties, comprising 125 member states, holds the sole authority to remove Khan from office. A majority vote in a secret ballot would be required, with 63 countries needing to support the measure. No date has been set for the special session, though the assembly pledged to convene “as soon as possible.”
Khan’s legal team has declined to comment publicly, stating a formal statement would be issued later. The suspension does not signal the final outcome, as the assembly’s decision remains pending.
Political and Legal Context
Khan’s tenure has been marked by contentious legal actions, including the issuance of arrest warrants in November 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former defense chief Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leaders. The move drew criticism from the Biden administration, which called the warrants “outrageous.” This follows a 2023 dispute when the Trump administration sanctioned ICC judges over the court’s decision to authorize an arrest warrant for U.S. personnel in Afghanistan.
The current allegations have