ICC chief prosecutor suspended over misconduct allegations

The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, has been suspended from his duties after the court’s oversight body initiated disciplinary proceedings over allegations of sexual misconduct.

The decision was announced late Monday by the Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties, the executive committee of the ICC’s governing body, following a review of findings from a United Nations investigation.

Khan, a 56-year-old British barrister, has been accused of sexual misconduct involving a female aide. He has consistently denied the allegations.

The Bureau said its decision was based on a report by the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), supporting evidence, advice from an ad hoc panel of judicial experts and written submissions.

It stressed that the suspension does not predetermine the outcome of the case.

The allegations, which first surfaced more than two years ago, prompted an investigation by the UN oversight office. According to a copy of the report seen by The Associated Press, investigators found evidence suggesting Khan engaged in non-consensual sexual contact with the staff member in his office, at his residence and during official travel.

However, a three-judge panel appointed to assess the findings concluded that the investigation did not provide sufficiently conclusive evidence.

Khan had already stepped aside temporarily in May 2025 while the investigation was underway.

The Assembly of States Parties, which represents the ICC’s 125 member countries, will now decide whether Khan can remain in office. A special session is expected to be convened soon, though no date has yet been announced.

Only the Assembly has the authority to remove the prosecutor from office. Such a move would require a majority vote in a secret ballot, meaning at least 63 member states would need to support his dismissal.

The allegations include claims that Khan transferred the woman from another department into his office and that she frequently accompanied him on official trips. Whistleblower documents cited allegations of inappropriate conduct during foreign travel and at the prosecutor’s office.

Khan’s legal team said a formal response would be issued on Tuesday.