ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan suspended over sexual misconduct allegations, faces possible removal
The International Criminal Court's top prosecutor was suspended with immediate effect on Monday after a UN investigation found evidence of non-consensual sexual contact with a female aide, a case that has shadowed the court for over two years.
The suspension
The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, was suspended from his duties with immediate effect on Monday evening. The decision was taken by the 21-member Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties, the court's oversight body, which concluded that Khan had committed serious misconduct and a serious breach of his duties. The Bureau based its assessment on a UN investigation report, underlying evidence, advice from a panel of legal experts, and written submissions.
The suspension is not indicative of the final outcome.
The final decision on whether Khan will be permanently removed from office now rests with the Assembly of the 125 States Parties, which will convene a special session as soon as possible. Removal requires an absolute majority of 63 votes in a secret ballot.
The allegations
The case dates back to 2024, when a close female colleague of Khan, a 39-year-old lawyer, confided in coworkers. Those colleagues subsequently reported the matter to the court's Independent Oversight Mechanism in May 2024. According to documents seen by the Associated Press, the UN's Office of Internal Oversight Services investigation found evidence of non-consensual sexual contact with the aide in his office, at his private residence, and during a work trip.
Non-consensual sexual contact with the aide in his office, at his private residence, and during a work trip.
Specific allegations cited in the documents include Khan asking the woman to rest with him in a hotel bed during an overseas trip and then touching her sexually, locking his office door and putting his hand in her pocket, and repeatedly asking her to accompany him on holiday. Khan, who was questioned during the investigation, denied any contact whatsoever, whether consensual or not.
The legal review
A panel of three judges selected by the Bureau to conduct a legal assessment of the UN findings concluded in March 2026 that the investigation was not sufficiently conclusive. The judges stated that the investigation did not determine misconduct or a breach of duty under the relevant legal framework. Despite this, the Bureau proceeded with the suspension and disciplinary referral.
A second woman came forward in the summer of 2025 with separate allegations of sexual misconduct against Khan, according to reporting by NRC. The Dutch newspaper also reported that ICC staff had pressured the first woman not to file a formal complaint.
Political entanglements
The misconduct case became intertwined with Khan's high-profile prosecutorial work. In May 2024, Khan requested arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as for three Hamas leaders. He had also previously issued an arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Israel and the United States seized on the misconduct allegations to discredit Khan and the court. The woman was portrayed as an Israeli spy who had allegedly entrapped the prosecutor. Khan himself linked the matters, describing a coordinated campaign to remove him over dissatisfaction with the Netanyahu arrest warrants. The US, which is not a member of the ICC, imposed sanctions on court staff and judges following the Netanyahu warrant.
What happens next
The ICC has never before faced a procedure to remove a chief prosecutor. The court had to create new rules to handle the unprecedented situation. Khan had already temporarily stepped aside in May 2025 pending the outcome of the investigation, stating he would return once the allegations were cleared. He has categorically denied all accusations throughout.
An orchestrated campaign to remove me over dissatisfaction with the arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
The special session of the Assembly of States Parties will determine whether the British lawyer, who has served as chief prosecutor since 2021, will be permanently removed from the post that sets the court's priorities and serves as its public face.
- A close female colleague confides in coworkers about alleged sexual misconduct by Khan.
- Two colleagues report the allegations to the ICC's Independent Oversight Mechanism.
- Khan requests ICC arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant.
- The UN Office of Internal Oversight Services begins its investigation into the allegations.
- Khan temporarily steps aside pending the outcome of the UN investigation.
- A second woman comes forward with separate sexual misconduct allegations against Khan.
- The UN OIOS submits its investigation report; the report remains unpublished.
- A three-judge panel concludes the UN investigation is not sufficiently conclusive.
- The ICC Bureau suspends Khan with immediate effect and refers him for disciplinary proceedings.
