ICC Suspends Prosecutor Karim Khan Amid Sexual Misconduct Investigation

Tue Jun 09 2026 13:03:11 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan suspended pending investigation into sexual misconduct allegations, as member states prepare a vote on his future.

The International Criminal Court has suspended its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, following allegations of sexual misconduct. An IOM investigation was closed after the alleged victim declined to cooperate, but a later OIOS inquiry revealed over 5,000 pages of evidence. Khan denies the claims, and his lawyers call the suspension unlawful. Member states will vote on his future in a forthcoming special session. The case has heightened scrutiny over the ICC's internal processes and stirred political tensions worldwide.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has suspended its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, with immediate effect while an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct continues.

The decision was taken by a panel within the Court’s management oversight body and the matter has been referred to the Court’s 125 member states, who will vote on Khan’s future in a special session that will be convened "as soon as possible". The Bureau stressed that the suspension does not prejudice the outcome of the case.

Khan, a prominent British lawyer, has denied all allegations. His lawyers have described the suspension as unlawful, procedurally unfair and unsupported by evidence.

The accusations, published in recent media reports, include unwanted sexual touching and abuse. The first investigation, opened by the ICC's Independent Oversight Mechanism (IOM) in May 2024, was closed after the alleged victim declined to participate. A second referral was made in October 2024 and the case was transferred to the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS). The OIOS inquiry spanned from November 2024 to December 2025 and produced a dossier of more than 5,000 pages of evidence and testimony.

The findings were reviewed by a panel of three judges tasked with advising the Bureau on whether Khan’s conduct amounted to serious misconduct, less serious misconduct, or no misconduct. Khan has been on voluntary leave since May 2025 to fight the allegations.

Supporters argue the investigation failed to substantiate the claims, while critics warn that Khan’s return could damage confidence in the Court and raise concerns about potential retaliation within the Prosecutor’s Office. Kh

The controversy coincided with broader political tensions at the Court: the United States imposed sanctions on Khan after he sought arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. The sanctions were later expanded to include two deputy prosecutors, eight ICC judges, a UN Special Rapporteur on occupied Palestinian territories and Palestinian organisations that had provided evidence to the Court.

If the ICC’s Administration and Support Personnel (ASP) were to seek Khan’s removal, he could challenge the decision before the Administrative Tribunal of the International Labour Organization (ILOAT), which oversees employment‑related appeals involving ICC staff. A tribunal ruling that the disciplinary process was flawed could result in reinstatement and significant compensation for Khan.

The ICC’s handling of the investigation has put its internal processes under intense scrutiny, and the upcoming member‑state vote will determine whether Khan will remain in office or be removed entirely.