The International Criminal Court (ICC) has suspended Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan pending a vote by member states on whether he should be removed from office following an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct.
The decision was announced late Monday by the court’s governing body after an 18-month investigation into claims made by a former female aide. Khan’s suspension takes effect immediately and will remain in place until the Assembly of States Parties (ASP), the ICC’s oversight body, determines his future.
The allegations against Khan first emerged more than two years ago and were referred to the court’s independent watchdog for investigation. According to reports, the prosecutor is accused of repeatedly harassing a female employee and engaging in non-consensual sexual conduct over an extended period.
A report by the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services reportedly found evidence supporting the allegations. However, a separate review conducted by three judges concluded that the available evidence did not establish the claims beyond a reasonable doubt, highlighting the complexity of the case.
Khan has consistently denied any wrongdoing throughout the investigation. Responding to the suspension, his lawyers strongly criticized the decision, saying, “The decision is unlawful, procedurally unfair and unsupported by evidence.”
The ICC’s executive bureau said it reached its decision after reviewing the investigation report, supporting evidence, legal opinions from an ad hoc panel of judicial experts and written submissions from the parties involved. The bureau confirmed that the matter has now been referred to the Assembly of States Parties, which represents all 125 member countries of the court.
In a statement, the bureau said, “The decision of the bureau and the related documentation will remain confidential,” indicating that the details behind its findings would not be made public at this stage.
The bureau also sought to emphasize that the suspension should not be viewed as a final judgment on the matter.
“The suspension pending the assembly meeting is not an indication of the final outcome,” it said.
Diplomatic sources familiar with the proceedings told international media that the bureau concluded Khan had committed serious misconduct and recommended his removal from office. However, the final decision rests with member states.
A special session of the Assembly of States Parties is expected to be convened in the coming weeks. For Khan to be removed as prosecutor, a majority of member states must vote in favor of dismissal through a secret ballot. With 125 countries belonging to the ICC, at least 63 votes would be required to remove him from office.
Khan, who became chief prosecutor in 2021, has overseen several of the court’s most high-profile investigations. During his tenure, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, decisions that placed the court at the center of major geopolitical disputes.
Importantly, no criminal charges have been filed against Khan. The current proceedings are disciplinary rather than criminal and focus on whether he should continue serving as the ICC’s chief prosecutor.
Source: DW
