The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, has been suspended following allegations of sexual misconduct. The decision was made by the ICC’s oversight body, which has referred Khan, a British barrister, for disciplinary proceedings.
Khan, who is 56, has denied any wrongdoing. The final decision regarding his position will be made by the Assembly of States Parties, the body responsible for overseeing the ICC. A special session will be held to determine whether Khan can continue in his role at the global court.
The Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties, the executive committee of the court’s oversight body, released a statement. The decision to suspend Khan is based on findings from an investigation conducted by the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services. This also includes the supporting evidence, advice from an ad hoc panel of judicial experts, and written submissions.
The investigation had found evidence of nonconsensual sexual actions by Khan with the aide in various locations, including his office and private residence. However, a legal assessment by a three-judge panel found the investigation inconclusive.
Khan’s legal team is preparing to release a statement following the suspension. Khan had previously stepped down temporarily in May 2025, awaiting the investigation’s outcome. This situation is unprecedented for the ICC, prompting the creation of new procedural rules to address it.
The allegations first came to light over two years ago to the court’s independent watchdog. The Associated Press investigation reported details from whistleblower documents, indicating Khan transferred the woman from another ICC department to his office, where she joined him on official trips.
Among the allegations are instances of Khan engaging in nonconsensual behavior, including inappropriate touching and requests for companionship during personal vacations. The Assembly of States Parties is the only entity authorized to remove him from office. This would require a majority vote from its 125 member states, with at least 63 countries needed for support.
Although a date for the special session has not been set, the assembly aims to convene as soon as possible.
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