The International Criminal Court (ICC) has suspended its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, following a referral of disciplinary proceedings to member states due to a sexual misconduct investigation. The ICC, located in The Hague, is tasked with prosecuting individuals for serious international crimes such as genocide and war crimes. Khan had previously sought arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, which has drawn significant international attention.
The Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute decided to suspend Khan from duty pending a final decision and will convene a special session to address the matter. Khan has denied the allegations against him, which stem from an 18-month investigation involving a lawyer in his office. While a U.N. investigation found evidence supporting the allegations, a separate judicial review concluded that the evidence was insufficient to prove misconduct beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Assembly of States Parties Bureau determined that Khan had committed serious misconduct and recommended his removal. The case will now be reviewed by the Assembly of States Parties, which consists of 125 member nations. The final decision regarding Khan's status has yet to be scheduled.
Liz Evenson, international justice director at Human Rights Watch, emphasized the importance of the member states taking the situation seriously, although the decision remains confidential. The ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant in November 2024, which were met with condemnation from Israel and the United States, both of which reject the ICC's jurisdiction.
U.S. officials, including Ambassador Mike Waltz, have expressed ongoing opposition to the ICC's actions against U.S. allies. Israeli officials have criticized the suspension, arguing it undermines the court's credibility regarding the charges against their leaders. The ICC's presidency has reaffirmed its commitment to impartial proceedings and the integrity of the court.