ICC Chief Prosecutor Suspended Amid Sexual Misconduct Allegations

The Hague, Netherlands — The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court was suspended from his duties on Monday following a referral by the court’s oversight body for disciplinary proceedings. British barrister Karim Khan, 56, is accused of sexual misconduct with a female aide, an allegation he denies and has been at odds over for more than two years.

The Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties stated its decision was based on an investigation by the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), advice from an ad hoc Panel of judicial experts, and written submissions. The U.N. investigation found evidence of nonconsensual sexual contact but a three-judge panel deemed it not conclusive enough.

Khan’s legal team said a statement would be issued on Tuesday. The Assembly of States Parties must hold a special session to decide Khan’s fate; removal requires a majority vote in a secret ballot of its 125 member states, with at least 63 votes needed.

In November 2024, Khan issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli defense chief Yoav Gallant, among others. The Biden administration protested the move as “outrageous.” In 2023, the Trump administration sanctioned four ICC judges over alleged politicization and abuse of power following a ruling authorizing the arrest warrant for Netanyahu.