ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan Suspended Over Allegations of Sexual Misconduct

The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan , has been suspended from his duties after the court's oversight body referred him for disciplinary proceedings over allegations of sexual misconduct involving a female aide.

The decision, announced late Monday, marks an unprecedented development for the Hague-based court and intensifies a controversy that has shadowed Khan for more than two years. The 56-year-old British barrister has consistently denied all allegations.

In a statement, the Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) , the executive committee of the ICC's oversight body, said the decision was based on a report prepared by the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) , supporting evidence, legal advice from an ad hoc panel of judicial experts, and written submissions received during the process.

The bureau emphasized that Khan's suspension pending further proceedings "is not an indication of the final outcome" of the case. According to a copy of the OIOS report cited by The Associated Press, investigators found evidence suggesting that Khan engaged in non-consensual sexual contact with the staff member in his office, at his private residence and during official missions. The allegations include claims of inappropriate physical contact during foreign travel, as well as other instances of alleged misconduct.

However, a three-judge panel appointed to assess the findings reportedly concluded that the investigation did not produce sufficiently conclusive evidence for a definitive legal determination, adding complexity to the disciplinary process.

Khan had already stepped aside temporarily in May 2025 while the investigation was underway. The allegations were first reported to the court's independent watchdog more than two years ago.

The Assembly of States Parties , which represents the ICC's 125 member countries, will now convene a special session to determine Khan's future. The body is the only authority empowered to remove the chief prosecutor from office. Such a move would require the support of a majority of member states through a secret ballot, meaning at least 63 countries would need to vote in favor of his removal.

No date has yet been announced for the special session.

The case represents one of the most significant governance challenges in the ICC's history , placing the institution under heightened scrutiny as it continues to handle major international investigations and prosecutions. The outcome of the disciplinary proceedings is expected to have far-reaching implications for the court's leadership and credibility.