The Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has suspended Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan from his position with immediate effect. The decision is based on allegations of sexual harassment and serious misconduct.
According to the official statement, the Bureau (the executive body consisting of representatives from 21 states) voted by a majority (15 in favour, 4 against, and 2 abstentions) to temporarily suspend Khan. The case has been referred to the full Assembly of States Parties to the ICC (comprising 125 countries), which will hold a special session and vote on his permanent removal from office. An absolute majority of votes will be required for dismissal.
The allegations against Karim Khan, a British lawyer who has served as ICC Chief Prosecutor since 2021, first became public in 2024. A woman who worked in his team accused him of unwanted sexual harassment, including non-consensual contacts. Khan has categorically denied all the allegations.
In May 2025, Khan voluntarily stepped aside and took leave during an investigation conducted by the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS). Later, an independent panel of judges concluded that the evidence did not meet the “beyond reasonable doubt” standard and found insufficient grounds to establish misconduct. Nevertheless, the Bureau of the Assembly decided to proceed with the disciplinary process.
The decision has provoked mixed reactions in the international community. Some view it as a demonstration of accountability and the protection of court staff, while others suggest a possible political context, given that Khan initiated high-profile investigations in 2023–2025, including arrest warrants for senior officials (such as Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu).
During his suspension, Khan’s duties as Chief Prosecutor will be performed by his deputies — Nazhat Shameem (Fiji) and Mame Mandiaye Niang (Senegal).
This is the first time in the history of the ICC that a Chief Prosecutor has been officially suspended by the court’s governing body. The Assembly’s final decision is expected in the coming weeks.