ICC chief prosecutor suspended pending decision by oversight body on
sexual misconduct allegations
[June 09, 2026]
By MOLLY QUELL
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — In an unprecedented move, the embattled
chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court was suspended from
his duties late Monday, after the court’s oversight body referred
British barrister Karim Khan for disciplinary proceedings.
The 56-year-old is facing allegations of sexual misconduct with a female
aide, in a scandal that has dragged on for more than two years. He has
steadfastly denied any wrongdoing.
A final decision on Khan's fate is now up to the Assembly of States
Parties, the body that oversees the ICC, which will hold a special
session to decide if Khan can remain in his job at the global court.
The Bureau of the Assembly of States parties — the executive committee
of the court’s oversight body — said in a statement that it based its
decision “on the report of an investigation undertaken by the United
Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), the underlying
evidence, the advice of an ad hoc Panel of judicial experts, and written
submissions.”
It added that Khan's suspension pending the assembly meeting “is not an
indication of the final outcome.”
The U.N. investigation found evidence that Khan had “nonconsensual
sexual contact with (the aide) in his office, at his private residence,
and whilst on mission,” according to a copy of its report seen by The
Associated Press. However, a three-judge panel selected by the executive
committee for a legal assessment of the findings found that the
investigation was not conclusive enough.
When contacted for comment, Khan’s legal team said a statement would be
issued Tuesday.
Khan had already temporarily stepped down in May 2025 pending the
outcome of the investigation. The process is unprecedented for the ICC,
and the Assembly of States Parties has had to repeatedly create new
rules to accommodate the situation.
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Karim Khan, Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, looks up
prior to a press conference in The Hague, Netherlands, July 3, 2023.
(AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)
The allegations against Khan were first reported to the court’s
independent watchdog more than two years ago. An AP investigation
revealed that Khan was alleged to have seen the woman working in
another ICC department and moved her into his office. She later
became a regular presence on official trips, according to
whistleblower documents.
On one foreign trip, Khan allegedly asked her to rest with him on a
hotel bed and then “sexually touched her,” the documents said. Other
alleged nonconsensual behavior cited in the documents included
locking the door of his office and sticking his hand in her pocket.
He also allegedly asked her several times to accompany him on a
vacation.
Only the Assembly of States Parties has the authority to remove Khan
from office, a move that would require a majority in a secret ballot
of its 125 member states. Sixty-three countries would need to
support a measure to remove him.
No date was immediately set for the session, but the assembly said
it would be convened as soon as possible.
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