ICC chief prosecutor Khan suspended by British lawyers' regulator
Suspension of Karim Khan and Ongoing Crisis at the ICC
By Stephanie van den Berg
Background of the Suspension
THE HAGUE, June 19 (Reuters) - International Criminal Court chief prosecutor Karim Khan, who has been accused of sexual misconduct, has been suspended by Britain's independent regulator for court lawyers.
Khan had already been suspended on June 8 by the ICC's governing body, prolonging a crisis at the war crimes court, which is also under U.S. sanctions over investigations into the United States and Israel.
Immediate Actions by the Bar Standards Board
The Bar Standards Board said in a statement that the suspension, effective immediately, would be considered by a panel at a hearing within four weeks.
Allegations and Political Context
Khan's Denial and Supporters' Perspective
Khan, 56, denies the allegations against him. His supporters have suggested that he has become a political target for seeking arrest warrants for Israeli officials over Israel's conduct in its war in Gaza.
Upcoming Vote by ICC Member States
The ICC's 125 member states will vote on his fate at a special session of its governing body on July 24.
The ICC and International Reactions
Role and Jurisdiction of the ICC
The ICC, the world's first permanent war crimes court, opened in 2002 to prosecute individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide committed by nationals of member states or on the territory of its members.
U.S. Sanctions and Investigations
The U.S. is not an ICC member and has imposed sanctions on 11 ICC judges and prosecutors, including Khan, for issuing arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant, and for a past probe into U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Washington has threatened more sanctions against the institution.
Details of the Allegations and Investigation
External U.N. Investigation and Findings
After the allegations against Khan emerged in 2024, it commissioned an external U.N. investigation. In May 2025, Khan went on voluntary leave and his two deputies assumed his duties.
Summary of the Inquiry
A summary seen by Reuters said the confidential 18-month inquiry had found a "factual basis" for the allegations, made by a female aide, that he had had a non-consensual sexual relationship with a younger staff member.
Khan's Response to the Allegations
Khan maintains he did nothing wrong and has said he will take all necessary steps to challenge his suspension at the ICC.
(Reporting by Stephanie van den Berg and Sudip Kar-Gupta; Editing by Makini Brice and Kevin Liffey)
