ICC Prosecutor Suspended Amid Misconduct Investigation

Karim Khan, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), has been suspended after the court’s governing body concluded that he had committed serious misconduct.

The decision follows an 18-month investigation into allegations that Khan engaged in non-consensual sexual relations with a lawyer working in his office.

According to diplomatic sources, the executive committee of the ICC’s governing body has recommended Khan’s removal from office. His future will now be decided by the court’s member states at an extraordinary session.

The governing body confirmed that it had concluded disciplinary proceedings and forwarded its decision to the Assembly of States Parties, but has not disclosed further details.

Through his lawyers, Khan has repeatedly denied the allegations. He argues that the proceedings were unlawful, procedurally unfair and unsupported by evidence.

His defense also cited the opinion of three judges who reportedly concluded that the evidence presented did not establish misconduct.

The case adds to a series of challenges facing the ICC, which has also come under pressure from US sanctions imposed after it issued arrest warrants for Israeli officials.

Khan is the first ICC chief prosecutor to be formally suspended by the court’s governing body.

(reuters, max)