ICC Suspends Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan Over Sexual Misconduct

The International Criminal Court suspended Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan with immediate effect on June 8, 2026, following allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of authority. The decision was made by the bureau of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) after an 18-month investigation by the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) found a factual basis for claims of nonconsensual sexual contact involving a female aide and a second complainant.

The probe, which produced over 5,000 pages of evidence, cited incidents at Khan's office, private residence, and during official missions. While a three-judge advisory panel found the evidence insufficient to meet the beyond a reasonable doubt legal standard, the ASP bureau overruled this finding, determining that Khan committed serious misconduct.

Khan, who has been on voluntary leave since May 2025, denies all wrongdoing and describes the suspension as unlawful and procedurally unfair. He has already been removed from the ICC's case against former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte. A final decision on his tenure will be determined by a secret ballot of the 125 ICC member states during an upcoming special session, requiring a majority vote for permanent removal.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded by calling the ICC corrupt and alleging that Khan sought arrest warrants against Israeli officials to distract from the misconduct probe. The United States, which previously sanctioned Khan in February 2025, continues to oppose the court's jurisdiction over its allies.