ICC Suspends Top Prosecutor Karim Khan Over Misconduct Allegations

Karim Khan, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), faces suspension following allegations of misconduct. An internal ICC management oversight body made the decision, which will be put to a vote by the court's 125 member states in a special session. The oversight Bureau emphasized that the suspension does not imply guilt and is part of a process to investigate the claims.

Khan has consistently denied all allegations, which reportedly include unwanted sexual touching and "abuse." His legal team has strongly criticized the suspension, labeling it "unlawful, procedurally unfair and unsupported by evidence." The allegations first surfaced in May 2024 when a third party reported potential sexual misconduct involving a female staff member.

The ICC's Independent Oversight Mechanism initially investigated but closed the case when the alleged victim declined to participate. Critics argued this investigation was mishandled. A second referral in October 2024 led to a broader investigation by the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), which produced thousands of pages of evidence. A panel of judges reviewed these findings to advise the oversight body on the severity of Khan's alleged conduct.

Khan, a prominent British lawyer, has been on voluntary leave since May 2025 to address the allegations. The outcome of the member states' vote will determine his future, but the controversy is expected to continue given the intense scrutiny the court has faced during this sensitive process.

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unlawful, procedurally unfair and unsupported by evidence