The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, has been suspended from his duties following a decision by the court's oversight body to refer him for disciplinary proceedings over allegations of sexual misconduct. The 56-year-old British lawyer, who has led the ICC since 2021, faces accusations of nonconsensual sexual contact with a female aide, a scandal that has persisted for over two years.
Khan has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The suspension, announced late Monday, comes after an investigation by the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) found evidence that Khan had engaged in nonconsensual sexual contact with the aide in his office, at his private residence, and while on mission. However, a three-judge panel selected by the ICC's executive committee concluded that the investigation was not conclusive enough to determine guilt.
Unprecedented Process for the ICC
The case is unprecedented for the ICC, which has had to create new rules to handle the situation. The 21-member bureau of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) decided to refer Khan's case to the full ASP, which represents all 124 member states. The bureau suspended Khan with immediate effect pending the assembly's final decision, stating that the suspension is not an indication of the final outcome.
The bureau based its decision on the OIOS report, the underlying evidence, advice from an ad hoc panel of judicial experts, and written submissions. The suspension is a significant step for the court, which has faced criticism over its handling of sexual misconduct allegations in the past.
Khan had already temporarily stepped down in May 2025 pending the investigation, but the new suspension formalizes his removal from duties. The decision will have little practical impact on the court's operations, as Khan had already been removed from pleading in the ICC's most high-profile case against former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte.
The scandal has drawn attention to broader issues of accountability within international institutions. In a related development, Pope Leo XIV recently called sexual abuse a 'scourge' ahead of a meeting with victims in Spain, highlighting the ongoing struggle to address such misconduct across Europe and beyond.
The ICC's Assembly of States Parties is expected to make a final decision on Khan's fate in the coming months. Until then, the court will operate under an acting prosecutor, ensuring continuity in its work.
