Key facts
- ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan has been suspended by Britain's Bar Standards Board.
- The suspension is effective immediately and pending a hearing within four weeks.
- Khan faces allegations of sexual misconduct with a female aide.
- The ICC's oversight body found Khan engaged in "serious misconduct" and "serious breach of duty".
- A vote on Khan's permanent removal from office will be held by the Assembly of States Parties on July 24.
- The Trump administration has sanctioned Khan for investigating Israeli officials.
The British Bar Standards Board has temporarily suspended International Criminal Court (ICC) chief prosecutor Karim Khan, pending disciplinary proceedings. The suspension, effective immediately, comes after the ICC's oversight body, the Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties, concluded that Khan engaged in "serious misconduct" and a "serious breach of duty" related to allegations of sexual misconduct with a female staff member.
Khan, 56, has strongly denied all allegations. His lawyers stated they would challenge the decision. The Bar Standards Board confirmed the suspension and indicated a hearing would occur within four weeks, though they declined to comment on the basis of their decision.
This disciplinary action is the latest in a series of challenges Khan faces. Last week, the Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties recommended his removal from office. A vote by the 125-member Assembly of States Parties is scheduled for July 24 in New York to decide on his permanent removal, requiring 63 votes in favor.
Separately, Khan and other ICC staff were sanctioned by the Trump administration for investigations into Israeli officials and American personnel in Afghanistan. These sanctions have reportedly hampered the court's work on various investigations. An AP investigation revealed allegations of Khan moving a woman into his office and a UN report in April cited evidence of "nonconsensual sexual contact." However, a three-judge panel found the investigation's evidence not conclusive enough.
A diplomatic official suggested that some countries view the allegations as an attempt to impede the ICC's investigation into Israel, particularly concerning arrest warrants issued in 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister over alleged war crimes in Gaza.