ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan suspended pending sexual misconduct case

The Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, has been suspended from duty with immediate effect following a decision by the court’s governing body, the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) following a probe into accusations of sexual harassment made against him.

In a statement issued late yesterday, Monday, June 8, 2026, the Bureau of the ASP announced that disciplinary proceedings against Khan would be referred to all 125 member states for consideration during a special session. The bureau emphasized that the suspension should not be interpreted as a finding of guilt.

“This suspension is not an indication of the final outcome,” the bureau said, adding that the decision followed a review of findings from an investigation conducted by the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), recommendations from an independent panel of judicial experts, and written submissions related to the case. Details of the proceedings and supporting documents will remain confidential.

Khan, through his legal representatives, strongly rejected the allegations and criticised the suspension.

“The decision is unlawful, procedurally unfair and unsupported by evidence,” his lawyers said in a statement.

The suspension follows an 18-month investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct made by a female aide.

The accusations were first reported to the ICC’s independent watchdog more than two years ago. According to a copy of the OIOS report cited by international media, Khan is alleged to have repeatedly harassed the employee and engaged in non-consensual sexual contact at his office, private residence and during official missions.

In 2012, Khan served as President William Ruto’s, then aspiring Deputy President lead defense counsel at the International Criminal Court (ICC). He successfully defended Ruto against charges of crimes against humanity relating to the 2007-2008 post-election violence in Kenya.

Sources familiar with the investigation said the UN inquiry found a “factual basis” for the allegations.

However, a separate review by three judges reportedly concluded that the evidence was insufficient to establish the claims beyond a reasonable doubt.

Khan has consistently denied wrongdoing and has maintained that the judicial review panel unanimously found no misconduct or breach of duty. No criminal charges have been filed against him.

The British barrister, who has served as ICC chief prosecutor since 2021, rose to international prominence after seeking arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to the Gaza conflict.

He also pursued warrants against senior Hamas leaders, including Yahya Sinwar, over the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel.

Khan has also sought the arrest of Russian President Vladimir Putin and oversaw several other high-profile investigations.

His actions against Israeli officials drew sharp criticism from the United States, which subsequently imposed sanctions on him and increased pressure on the court.

Khan has been on voluntary leave since May 2025 as investigations continued and had already stepped away from several cases, including proceedings involving former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.

He is the first ICC chief prosecutor to face formal suspension by the court’s oversight body. Any permanent removal from office would require the support of a majority of the court’s 125 member states in a secret ballot, meaning at least 63 countries would need to vote in favor of his dismissal.

The ICC has not yet announced a date for the special session that will determine Khan’s future at the court.

The ICC’s governing body will send its conclusion on to all 125 ICC member states, which will vote on Khan’s fate in a special session. His removal will require a majority in a secret ballot, with sixty-three countries needing to support a measure to remove him.