ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan Suspended After Sexual Misconduct Findings, Faces Possible Removal
ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan was suspended with immediate effect on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, by the court's Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties and referred to the full Assembly for possible removal.[1]
A U.N. Office of Internal Oversight Services probe found evidence supporting allegations of nonconsensual sexual contact with a lawyer in Khan's office.[2] A subsequent three-judge ICC panel said the evidence was insufficient to prove misconduct beyond a reasonable doubt.[2] Despite the judges' view, the Assembly Bureau concluded Khan committed "serious misconduct" and a "serious breach of duty" and recommended his removal.[2] Khan's lawyers called the Bureau's decision "unlawful, procedurally unfair and unsupported by evidence," and Khan continues to deny wrongdoing.[2] The case now moves to a special session of the Assembly of States Parties, whose 125 member states will decide whether to remove Khan; the timing has not been set.[2]
In May 2024 co-workers first reported complaints to the court's Independent Oversight Mechanism, and the allegations became public in October 2024 through anonymous social posts and media reports. In November 2024 the Assembly of States Parties asked the U.N. Office of Internal Oversight Services to investigate after the complainant declined to file an internal complaint. Khan took voluntary leave in May 2025 while the probe moved forward, and a second allegation surfaced in August 2025. Khan led the ICC effort to seek arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.[2] Officials said that role makes the suspension a major development well beyond the court itself.[2]
Human Rights Watch's international justice director Liz Evenson said states parties "appear to be taking this seriously" and that HRW will monitor next steps while urging continued support for the court's work.[2]
The mainstream summary does not mention that this is the first time in the ICC's 24-year history that its chief prosecutor has been suspended from duty, a significant milestone that underscores the gravity of the situation. This unprecedented action highlights the potential implications for the ICC's credibility and operational integrity, particularly as it relates to ongoing investigations, including those concerning alleged war crimes in Gaza and Ukraine. The summary also omits the context of the ICC's broader challenges, such as the erosion of legitimacy and trust in the institution, which critics argue stems from perceived biases and politicization in its judicial processes. Douglas Guilfoyle's analysis suggests that these factors contribute to a crisis of legitimacy that could further complicate the ICC's mission and its ability to function impartially in the international arena.
Additionally, while the mainstream account notes the Assembly of States Parties will decide Khan's fate, it does not emphasize the significant political ramifications of this decision, particularly given Khan's role in issuing arrest warrants for high-profile figures like Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This context is crucial, as it raises questions about how the ICC's internal crises might affect its ongoing investigations and the perception of its impartiality moving forward. These layers of complexity are essential for understanding the full impact of Khan's suspension on the ICC and international justice at large.
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📊 Relevant Data
The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber issued arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant on November 21, 2024, for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Gaza from at least October 8, 2023, to at least May 20, 2024; the warrants remain active and require the 125 ICC member states to arrest the individuals if they enter their territory.
Situation in the State of Palestine: ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I rejects State of Israel’s challenges and issues warrants of arrest for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant — International Criminal Court
This is the first time in the ICC’s 24-year history that its chief prosecutor has been suspended from duty.
ICC prosecutor suspended: can the court still serve justice? — Deutsche Welle
📌 Key Facts
- On Tuesday, June 9, 2026, the ICC's Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties suspended Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan with immediate effect and referred disciplinary proceedings to the full Assembly.
- Karim Khan led the ICC effort to seek arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, a context officials say makes the suspension “a major development well beyond the court itself.”
- A UN Office of Internal Oversight Services investigation found evidence supporting allegations of nonconsensual sexual contact with a lawyer in Khan’s office, while a three‑judge ICC panel later found the evidence insufficient to prove misconduct beyond a reasonable doubt.
- Despite the judges’ view, the Assembly Bureau concluded Khan committed “serious misconduct” and a “serious breach of duty” involving nonconsensual sexual activity and recommended his removal (summaries from Reuters and AP cited by Fox News).
- Khan's lawyers called the Bureau’s decision “unlawful, procedurally unfair and unsupported by evidence,” and Khan continues to deny wrongdoing.
- The case now moves to a special session of the ICC Assembly of States Parties, whose 125 member states will decide whether to remove Khan; the timing of that session has not been set.
- Human Rights Watch international justice director Liz Evenson told Fox News Digital that states parties “appear to be taking this seriously,” noted the Bureau’s decision is confidential, and said HRW will monitor next steps while urging continued support for the court’s work.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Article reiterates that on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, the ICC's Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties suspended Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan with immediate effect and referred disciplinary proceedings to the full Assembly.
- It emphasizes that Khan led the ICC effort to seek arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, underscoring why the suspension is described as a 'major development well beyond the court itself.'
- It notes that a UN Office of Internal Oversight Services investigation found evidence supporting allegations of nonconsensual sexual contact with a lawyer in Khan's office, while a three-judge ICC panel later called the evidence insufficient to prove misconduct beyond a reasonable doubt.
- The piece reports that, despite the judges' view, the Assembly Bureau concluded Khan committed 'serious misconduct' and a 'serious breach of duty' involving nonconsensual sexual activity and recommended his removal, according to Reuters and AP summaries cited by Fox News.
- Khan's lawyers are quoted calling the decision 'unlawful, procedurally unfair and unsupported by evidence,' and Khan continues to deny wrongdoing.
- The article notes that the case now moves to a special session of the ICC Assembly of States Parties, whose 125 member states will decide whether to remove Khan, with the timing of the session not yet set.
- Human Rights Watch's international justice director Liz Evenson tells Fox News Digital that states parties 'appear to be taking this seriously' but that the Bureau's decision is confidential; HRW says it will monitor next steps and urges continued support for the court's work.