ICC chief prosecutor suspended over sexual misconduct allegations

The International Criminal Court has suspended its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, pending further proceedings over allegations of sexual misconduct.

In a statement on Monday, The Hague-based court said Khan had been suspended with immediate effect pending a final decision by the Assembly of States Parties.

The court said the decision was based on a report by the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), the underlying evidence, written submissions, and advice from an ad hoc panel of experts.

While the court said related documents would remain confidential, Reuters, citing a diplomatic source, reported that the bureau of the ICC’s executive body had ruled that Khan committed “serious misconduct” and recommended removing him from office. He had already taken voluntary leave last year.

The allegations first emerged in 2024, when AP reported that Khan was accused of coercing a female aide into a sexual relationship. Khan has denied any wrongdoing. 

According to the New York Times, UN investigators found evidence that Khan had engaged in “non-consensual sexual contact” with a staff member, but judges initially ruled that the findings did not meet the “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard. The investigation reportedly continued in April, with both sides allowed to submit additional evidence.

During Khan’s tenure, the ICC issued arrest warrants for the leaders of Russia and Israel, although neither country recognizes the court’s jurisdiction.

In March 2023, the ICC issued warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and the country’s top children’s rights official, Maria Lvova-Belova, on charges of the “unlawful transfer” of children from Ukraine. Russia rejected the allegations, saying it had evacuated children from a war zone and reunited them with their families whenever documentation was available.

In November 2024, the court issued warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes in Gaza. Netanyahu dismissed the warrants as “absurd and false.”

Last year, the US imposed sanctions on Khan over his role in authorizing an investigation into the conduct of American troops in Afghanistan and issuing what Washington described as “baseless” arrest warrants for Israeli officials.