ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan Suspended Pending Member States Vote

The supervisory body of the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced that Karim Khan, the court’s chief prosecutor, has been suspended from his duties until a vote by member states determines his fate. This decision comes after an 18-month investigation into allegations of sexual harassment against him.

According to a diplomatic source cited by Reuters, the ICC’s Executive Council concluded that Khan committed a “serious misconduct.” Based on this investigation, he is accused of engaging in non-consensual sexual relations with a lawyer at his office. The Executive Council has recommended his removal from office.

The conclusion of this body will be sent to all 125 member countries of the court, who will vote at a later special session on whether Khan should continue in his role or be dismissed. In an official statement, the Executive Council announced it had decided on the disciplinary process and referred the matter to the assembly of member states but did not disclose details of the decision. The body emphasized that all related documents will remain confidential.

Khan’s lawyers have strongly rejected the decision, stating that their client denies any wrongdoing. Their statement called the decision “illegal, procedurally unfair, and lacking evidentiary support.”

In recent months, the ICC has faced political pressures alongside this case. For instance, the United States, following some of the court’s actions—including arrest warrants issued against Israeli officials for war crimes—has imposed sanctions on the institution.

Karim Khan voluntarily stepped aside from his role as prosecutor in May last year pending the outcome of the investigation. He is the first ICC prosecutor in the court’s history to be officially suspended by the supervisory body.

A previous Reuters report indicated that a United Nations inspectors’ report found a “real basis” for the allegations made by a female assistant and stated that testimonies from some witnesses supported her claims.

However, the same source added that another report by three judges reviewing the UN findings deemed the evidence insufficient to prove the allegations “beyond a reasonable doubt.” Khan’s lawyers also told Reuters that these judges unanimously concluded the existing findings did not establish misconduct or breach of duty.