By NE NOW NEWS
Guwahati: The International Criminal Court (ICC) has suspended its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, following an inquiry into allegations of sexual misconduct, a move that could lead to proceedings on his removal from office.
The court’s executive committee decided to refer the matter to a special session of the ICC’s 125 member states after reviewing findings from an investigation conducted by the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), according to reports.
The committee also considered advice from a panel of judicial experts and written submissions from Khan and the complainant before taking its decision.
The ICC said the suspension should not be interpreted as a final determination of the case and stressed that disciplinary proceedings remain ongoing.
The allegations first surfaced in 2024 when a woman who worked with Khan at the ICC headquarters in The Hague accused him of engaging in coercive and non-consensual sexual behaviour between 2023 and 2024. During the investigation, a second woman reportedly came forward with similar allegations in August 2025.
Khan, a British lawyer who has served as ICC prosecutor since 2021, has been on voluntary leave since May 2025 while the inquiry was underway.
His legal representatives have previously stated that he categorically denies the allegations and rejects claims that he mistreated any individual or misused his position.
The referral to member states could eventually lead to a vote on whether Khan should be removed from office.