In brief
International Criminal Court (ICC) chief prosecutor Karim Khan was suspended immediately by the oversight bureau while an investigation into accusations of sexual misconduct is ongoing. The decision was made before the 125 member states, who will vote on Khan’s future in a special session soon. Khan has denied the allegations and his lawyers label the suspension unlawful and unsupported by evidence, while the investigation has produced over 5,000 pages of evidence and testimony. The controversy also involves U.S. sanctions linked to earlier extradition demands surrounding Israeli leaders, raising questions about the court’s independence and the potential impact on further investigations. A final decision may lead to legal challenges, including appeals before the International Labour Organization’s Administrative Tribunal.
The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, was suspended with immediate effect by the court’s oversight bureau while an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct continues. The decision was adopted by a majority of the IOM’s advisory staff and sent to the 125 member states for a vote in a forthcoming special session.
Khan has denied all accusations, and his legal team called the suspension unlawful, procedurally unfair and lacking evidence. Allegations in the original complaint involved unwanted sexual touching and abusive behaviour, but investigative reviews reported insufficient proof of the claims. The case, which has spanned multiple investigations by the IOM and later the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services, generated more than 5,000 pages of evidence documented during an inquiry that ran from November 2024 to December 2025.
During the proceedings, the court’s staff expressed concern that Khan’s return could erode confidence in the ICC and that any retaliation could jeopardise the institution’s integrity. Supporters of the prosecutor argue that the investigations failed to substantiate the allegations against him, pointing to procedural flaws and the withdrawal of the alleged victim.
The controversy coincides with broader geopolitical tensions surrounding the court, notably U.S. sanctions imposed on Khan after he requested arrest warrants against Israeli officials over alleged Gaza war crimes. Those sanctions were expanded to include two deputy prosecutors, eight ICC judges, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and Palestinian organisations that helped provide evidence.
If the Administrative Support Programme (ASP) were to seek Khan’s removal, he could challenge the decision before the International Labour Organization’s Administrative Tribunal – a process that could result in a lengthy legal battle, potential reinstatement, and substantial compensation should the tribunal find a procedural flaw. The ICC remains under intense scrutiny as it weighs the future of its chief prosecutor amid these allegations.
