International Criminal Court Suspends Prosecutor Karim Khan

SadaNews - The ICC's highest administrative body announced on Monday that it has suspended the duties of the court's prosecutor, Karim Khan, until member states vote on his fate, following an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment against him.

In a case that has sparked controversy and lasted over two years, Khan faces allegations of sexual misconduct with one of his assistants, which he denies categorically.

The final decision regarding Khan's fate - a British lawyer - lies with the "Assembly of States Parties" - the supervisory body of the International Criminal Court - which will hold a special session to determine whether Khan will continue in his position within the international court.

The Assembly's office - the executive committee of the court's supervisory body - stated in a release on Monday that its evaluation was based on a "report by the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services, corroborating evidence, and advice from a special committee of legal experts, along with written memoranda submitted."

The UN investigation concluded that there was evidence that Khan had "non-consensual sexual contact with (the assistant) in his office, at his private residence, and during a work assignment," however, a panel of three judges - chosen by the executive committee to conduct a legal evaluation of the findings - found that the investigation was not conclusive enough.

Khan had temporarily stepped back from his duties in May 2025, awaiting the investigation's results. These procedures are unprecedented in the history of the International Criminal Court, prompting the Assembly of States Parties to establish new rules to address this case.

Khan, who was barred from representing the ICC's highest-profile case against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, made headlines when he issued arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Galant in connection with the Gaza war.

Khan was among the first individuals subjected to sanctions by the United States - an ally of Israel - expressing discontent over the arrest warrants.