ICC Prosecutor Suspended as Member States Weigh Misconduct Allegations
The Hague-The governing bureau of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Monday suspended Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan with immediate effect pending a final decision by member states, following misconduct allegations that he denies and that have already prompted him to step aside from his duties.
The decision was taken by the 21-member bureau of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP), the court’s management and oversight body, which voted by qualified majority to suspend Khan while referring the matter to the full assembly representing all ICC member countries.
“The bureau decided by qualified majority to suspend the Prosecutor from duty with immediate effect pending the final decision of the Assembly of States Parties as the competent decision-maker,” the bureau said in a statement.The bureau stressed that the measure should not be interpreted as a determination of guilt or responsibility.
“The bureau emphasizes that this suspension is not an indication of the final outcome,” the statement added.The move is expected to have limited immediate impact on the court’s operations because Khan, 55, has been on leave since May 2025 while contesting the allegations. He has consistently denied wrongdoing.
A special session of the Assembly of States Parties will be convened as soon as possible to consider the matter and determine the next steps, according to the bureau.Khan, a British lawyer who became ICC prosecutor in 2021, has overseen several high-profile investigations and prosecutions.
He drew international attention after seeking arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over allegations linked to the Gaza conflict.
Those applications triggered strong criticism from Israel and its ally, the United States, which opposed the court’s actions. Khan subsequently became one of the first ICC officials to face sanctions from Washington in connection with the court’s investigations.
Prior to stepping aside, Khan had also led investigations involving conflicts and alleged war crimes across multiple jurisdictions, making him one of the most prominent figures in international criminal justice.
The ICC has not indicated a timetable for the Assembly of States Parties to reach a final decision on Khan’s status. Until then, court operations are expected to continue under existing institutional arrangements.
