The International Criminal Court (ICC) has suspended its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, with immediate effect as investigations into serious misconduct allegations continue and member states prepare to decide his future.
The suspension was imposed by the court’s management oversight body, which also referred the matter to all 125 member states for further action. Those states are expected to meet in a special session to vote on whether Khan should remain in office, with officials stressing that the suspension does not imply guilt.
Khan, a British lawyer who has been on voluntary leave since May 2025, has denied all allegations against him. His legal team has described the process as flawed, arguing it is “unlawful, procedurally unfair and unsupported by evidence.”
The allegations include claims of sexual misconduct and abuse of authority, which were first raised in 2024 and later triggered multiple investigations by internal ICC mechanisms and United Nations oversight bodies. A lengthy inquiry involving thousands of pages of testimony was completed in late 2025 and reviewed by a panel advising the Assembly of States Parties.
The ICC’s governance structure will now determine the next steps, with a two-thirds majority required for any disciplinary action and a separate vote needed for removal from office.
The case has exposed divisions within the court and raised concerns among staff, some of whom have warned that uncertainty over leadership could undermine confidence in the Office of the Prosecutor. Supporters of Khan, however, maintain that the investigations have not produced conclusive evidence of wrongdoing.
The controversy has unfolded alongside wider geopolitical tensions involving the ICC, including sanctions imposed by the United States after the court pursued arrest warrants linked to the Gaza conflict. Those measures have also affected senior court officials and affiliated individuals and organisations.
If member states move to remove Khan, the decision could face further legal challenges before the International Labour Organization’s Administrative Tribunal, potentially prolonging the dispute and complicating efforts to resolve the leadership crisis at the court.
