The International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor suspended from his duties amid allegations of sexual assault
A key administrative body at the International Criminal Court on Monday suspended prosecutor Karim Khan from his duties, amid allegations of sexual assault against a member of his office.
The 21-member bureau of the Assembly of States Parties decided to refer Khan’s case to the broader Assembly of States Parties, which represents every member state of the International Criminal Court.
The agency said in a statement that the office decided by a qualified majority to suspend the work of the prosecutor with immediate effect pending the final decision of the Assembly of States Parties as the competent decision-making body.
The statement added, “The office confirms that this suspension is not an indication of the final outcome of the case”.
This decision won’t have a major practical impact on the course of the court, as the 55-year-old British Khan stepped down in May 2025 to defend himself, rejecting the allegations against him.
He was also excluded from pleading in the International Criminal Court’s high-profile case against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.
A special session of the committee will be held as soon as possible to discuss Khan’s case, according to the statement.
Khan made headlines when he issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in connection with the Gaza war.
He was among the first to be sanctioned by the United States, an ally of Israel, which expressed its displeasure over the two arrest warrants.
