ICC Suspends Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan Over Sexual Misconduct Claims
The ICC suspended chief prosecutor Karim Khan amid sexual misconduct claims after a UN probe.
Why it matters: The suspension affects the leadership of the ICC during ongoing high-profile war crimes cases and highlights governance challenges in international criminal justice institutions.
- Karim Khan was suspended on June 8, 2026, following an 18-month UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) investigation.
- The UN found evidence of nonconsensual sexual contact; ICC judges deemed the evidence inconclusive and referred Khan to disciplinary proceedings.
- Khan denies the allegations, calling the suspension "unlawful, procedurally unfair, and unsupported by evidence."
- Final determination of Khan's status awaits a vote of 125 Assembly of States Parties members.
- Khan issued arrest warrants for Israeli leaders in 2024, triggering US sanctions against him.
On June 8, 2026, the International Criminal Court (ICC) suspended Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan amid allegations of sexual misconduct uncovered by the United Nations' Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS). The OIOS concluded an 18-month investigation that found evidence indicating nonconsensual sexual contact involving a female aide during overseas missions.
However, a panel of ICC judges reviewed the evidence and found it inconclusive, leading the ICC's oversight body to refer Khan for disciplinary proceedings. Khan, a British barrister appointed in 2021, has categorically denied the claims, asserting the suspension was "unlawful, procedurally unfair, and unsupported by evidence." He temporarily stepped aside from prosecutorial duties in May 2025 when the investigation commenced, prompting the ICC to adopt new procedural rules for such inquiries.
Khan's suspension comes amid the continuing fallout from his 2024 decisions to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant relating to war crimes allegations in Gaza. These warrants contributed to significant international controversy and led to U.S. sanctions against Khan personally.
The final decision on Khan's employment status will be determined by a vote of the ICC's Assembly of States Parties, comprising 125 member states. The ICC's leadership has stressed that the suspension is a precautionary measure and does not imply guilt or a final judgment.
The allegations against Khan also include claims of office manipulation and inappropriate conduct, although detailed specifics and identities of individuals involved remain confidential. This situation has drawn increased scrutiny on the ICC and other international legal bodies about maintaining ethical standards and accountability, especially in politically sensitive contexts.
Additionally, the United Nations' OIOS, responsible for investigating internal misconduct in UN-related agencies, played a key role in the inquiry, underscoring cooperation between the UN and ICC investigative frameworks. The ICC itself is preparing to strengthen oversight mechanisms to prevent similar situations in the future.
By the numbers:
- 18 months — length of the UN OIOS investigation into Khan
- 125 members — the Assembly of States Parties that will vote on Khan's fate
- June 8, 2026 — date of Khan's suspension by the ICC
Yes, but: While the UN investigation found evidence supportive of misconduct, the ICC judges considered the evidence inconclusive, illustrating the complexity of adjudicating internal allegations in international institutions.
What's next: The Assembly of States Parties is expected to vote on Khan's continuation or removal later in 2026, following deliberations on the disciplinary referral and procedural rules updates.