Tuesday, June 9, 2026- The International Criminal Court (ICC) has suspended its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, following allegations of serious misconduct linked to a prolonged internal investigation.
The decision was taken by the court’s governing body after reviewing findings from an external UN investigation and recommendations from ICC oversight officials. Khan has strongly denied the accusations, calling them politically motivated and legally flawed, but the suspension takes effect while disciplinary proceedings continue.
The allegations involve claims of sexual misconduct involving a female staff member, with investigators reportedly examining incidents said to have occurred in multiple locations, including the prosecutor’s office and during official travel.
A UN Office of Internal Oversight Services report is said to have found evidence supporting claims of non-consensual conduct, although a separate judicial review described the findings as inconclusive. This conflicting assessment has made the case highly contentious within the ICC system.
The ICC emphasized that the suspension is not a final ruling of guilt, but a procedural step pending a wider vote by its 125 member states, who will ultimately decide Khan’s future in office.
The case marks an unprecedented moment for the court, which has never before suspended a sitting chief prosecutor, and it has sparked wider debate about accountability, internal governance, and political pressure on international justice institutions.
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