The 21-member executive committee of the court’s supervisory body, the Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties, voted on Monday to suspend British barrister Karim Khan and to move forward with further disciplinary actions.
The 56-year-old faces claims of sexual misconduct involving a female aide, in a controversy that has persisted for over two years. Khan has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Through his legal representation, Khan denounced the decision, branding it “unlawful, procedurally unfair, and lacking in evidence.” His team pledged to “take all necessary measures to contest the decision, uphold his rights, and ensure that due process is followed.”
A U.N. investigation in April uncovered evidence of “nonconsensual sexual contact” between him and his aide “in his office, at his private residence,” and during a mission, according to a report accessed by the AP two months ago.
However, a trio of judges appointed by the executive committee to assess the findings concluded that the U.N. investigation lacked sufficient conclusiveness. The ICC operates independently from the United Nations.
Khan temporarily stepped down in May 2025, awaiting the investigation’s outcome. This situation is unprecedented for the court, which had to develop new regulations to address it.
Monday’s announcement did not mention the alleged victim in this case, who has also been on leave from the court.
Danya Chaikel from the International Federation for Human Rights remarked to the AP that the omission of the victim’s name illustrates “the larger issue: the woman at the center of this process is nearly invisible, as she has often been throughout this situation.”
The ICC prosecution office expressed that it is “acutely aware of the duty of care” it has towards all staff and personnel, and will “continue to prioritize ensuring a safe working environment and a respectful workplace culture for all personnel.”
The final verdict on Khan’s future lies with the Assembly of States Parties, which oversees the ICC. The assembly will convene a special session to decide if Khan can retain his position at the global court, although a date for the session has yet to be established.
The ICC president, Judge Tomoko Akane, urged the assembly to conclude the process “with the highest priority.”
Khan has served as the court’s chief prosecutor since 2021. His work has been hindered by sanctions imposed on him and other court officials by the Trump administration due to the ICC’s investigations into U.S. ally Israel.
First Published: Jun 9, 2026 11:53 PM IST
