The ICC’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, has been suspended following the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings against him for , in a development that is causing serious tremors at the top international criminal court.
The decision was announced on Monday evening by the governing body of the ICC, following a vote by its executive committee, which decided to refer the case to a special session of the member states of the Court in order to consider the future of the British jurist in the leadership of the Prosecutor’s Office.
According to a document cited by the Guardian, the commission, which includes representatives of 21 member states of the ICC, concluded with an enhanced majority that there are indications of serious disciplinary misconduct in relation to the complaints made against Reg.
An unprecedented procedure for the Court
Referral of the case to the 125 member states of the International Criminal Court is considered unprecedented for the institution and may even lead to the removal of the prosecutor from his office.
However, the governing body of the ICC hastened to clarify that the decision to suspend Kan’s duties does not prejudge the final outcome of the proceedings. He had already temporarily retired from the administration of the department responsible for the investigation and prosecution of war crimes, crimes against humanity and other serious violations of international law.
According to the same statement, the executive committee relied on a report by an independent mechanism of the United Nations, an opinion of a panel of judicial experts, as well as written statements allegedly submitted by both Karim Khan and the complainant.
The complaints
The charges against the chief prosecutor first came to light in 2024 and relate to incidents that allegedly occurred in the period 2023-2024.
The woman who made the allegations worked under his supervision at the Court’s headquarters in The Hague and claims to have been the victim of coercive and non-consensual sexual behavior over a long period of time.
According to her allegations, the incidents allegedly took place in hotel rooms during business trips, at Khan’s office, but also at his personal residence.
The position of the defense
Karim Khan has categorically denied all the charges against him. His lawyers maintain that he never harassed or abused anyone, nor did he abuse his position or power.
As they have repeatedly stated, their client denies engaging in any conduct that could be described as coercive, exploitative or professionally inappropriate.
The case is now developing into one of the most serious crises that the International Criminal Court has faced in recent years, as the decisions of the member states are expected to determine not only the future of Karim Khan, but also the image of the institution itself at a time when it is at the center of important international cases.
