ICC Suspends Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan Pending Disciplinary Proceedings Over Sexual Misconduct Allegations

The International Criminal Court suspended its chief prosecutor Karim Khan from his duties late Monday, after the court’s oversight body referred him for disciplinary proceedings over sexual misconduct allegations.

“The Hague (© 2026 Afriquinfos) - While he was defending himself against sexual assault allegations involving a female member of his team, Karim Khan, the Prosecutor General of the International Criminal Court (ICC) (temporarily on leave), was suspended on Monday, June 8”

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The 56-year-old British barrister is facing allegations of sexual misconduct with a female aide, a scandal that has dragged on for more than two years, and he has steadfastly denied any wrongdoing.

Afriquinfos

The ICC’s oversight Bureau said its decision was based “on the report of an investigation undertaken by the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), the underlying evidence, the advice of an ad hoc Panel of judicial experts, and written submissions.”

The Bureau added that Khan’s suspension pending the Assembly of States Parties meeting “is not an indication of the final outcome,” while the Assembly will decide if he can remain in his job at the global court.

The process is unprecedented for the ICC, and the Assembly of States Parties will hold a special session “as soon as possible” to consider Khan’s fate.

Khan’s lawyers described the suspension as “unlawful, procedurally unfair and unsupported by evidence,” while the BBC said the oversight Bureau stressed the suspension does not prejudge the outcome.

The BBC reported that the allegations first emerged in May 2024, when a third party reported them to the ICC’s independent watchdog, and that the case was later closed after the alleged victim declined to participate.

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A second referral was made in October 2024, and the matter was transferred to the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), which ran from November 2024 to December 2025 and generated more than 5,000 pages of evidence and testimony.

The BBC said a panel of three judges reviewed the OIOS findings and advised the Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties on whether Khan’s conduct amounted to serious misconduct, less serious misconduct, or no misconduct.

In the same period, the United States imposed sanctions on Khan after he sought arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, and the BBC said sanctions were later expanded to include two deputy prosecutors, eight ICC judges, and Palestinian organisations that provided evidence to the court.

The ICC’s governing body referred the disciplinary proceedings to the court’s 125 member states, which will vote on Khan’s future during a special session convened “as soon as possible”.

“ICC suspends top prosecutor after investigating misconduct allegations The International Criminal Court's (ICC) chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, has been suspended with immediate effect while an investigation into misconduct allegations continues”

BBC

The Times of Israel reported that the executive bureau ruled that Khan, 56, had committed serious misconduct and recommended he be removed from office, while also saying the decision “is not an indication of the final outcome.”

Removal would require a majority in a secret ballot, with sixty-three countries needing to support a measure to remove him, according to The Times of Israel.

The Guardian said a document seen by the Guardian indicated the committee of 21 of the court’s member states voted by qualified majority to determine that Khan had committed serious misconduct in connection to the sexual abuse claims.

The Guardian also reported that the claims were brought by a woman who worked for him at the court’s headquarters in The Hague, and that Khan’s lawyers previously said he “categorically denies” having “harassed or mistreated any individual” or engaged in coercive or exploitative conduct.