ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan suspended over sexual misconduct claims

Karim Khan, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), has been suspended from his duties following a probe into allegations of sexual misconduct. The tribunal's governing body, the Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties, announced it would refer Khan to disciplinary proceedings before all 125 ICC member states, who will vote on his future in a special session.

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This suspension is not an indication of the final outcome.

The suspension is not a final verdict, according to a statement from the Bureau. The decision was based on a United Nations investigation that reportedly found a "factual basis" for the allegations made by a female aide. However, a separate panel of judicial experts, tasked with assessing the UN findings, reportedly found the investigation inconclusive. Khan's legal team has vehemently rejected the decision, labeling it "unlawful, procedurally unfair and unsupported by evidence" and reiterating his denial of any wrongdoing.

Khan, who gained international prominence for seeking arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas leaders, has maintained that the misconduct probe is a politically motivated smear campaign. He was among the first ICC officials sanctioned by the United States. His lawyers previously stated that a judicial panel had unanimously concluded that the "factual findings do not establish misconduct or breach of duty."

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The decision is unlawful, procedurally unfair and unsupported by evidence.

Khan has been on a voluntary leave of absence since last May while the inquiry proceeded. He is the first ICC prosecutor to be formally suspended by the court's oversight body. The Assembly of States Parties is the only body with the authority to make a final decision on his position.

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The factual findings do not establish misconduct or breach of duty.