International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan Temporarily Steps Aside Amid Sexual Misconduct Allegations
Prosecutor Khan momentarily steps down from his position.
In the latest shakeup, the head of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, has temporarily stepped down amidst an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct. Until the investigation concludes, Khan will temporarily vacate his position.
Last year, an employee had accused Khan of multiple instances of sexual misconduct spanning an extended period. The 55-year-old prosecutor denied the allegations as unfounded and requested an independent investigation. A UN commission has been conducting this investigation since November, and results are expected soon.
During his absence, Khan's deputies will manage his duties, a court spokesperson confirmed. The timing of his temporary resignation coincides with intense pressure on the court from the US due to arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Joav Galant for alleged war crimes in the Gaza Strip. US President Donald Trump had previously imposed sanctions on the court and Khan, threatening their work, as the US and Israel do not recognize the court.
Rumors surfaced that the move to issue arrest warrants came after the sexual misconduct allegation emerged. However, Khan's legal representatives have denied any connection between the sexual misconduct allegations and his work on the Israeli arrest warrants.
Khan has headed the ICC since 2021, and the court, situated in The Hague, has been pursuing suspects for war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and aggression since 2002. In February 2025, Khan requested an international arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin for the suspected crime of deporting children from Ukraine.
- The Hague
- International Criminal Court
Sources: ntv.de, jwu/dpa/AFP
Further Insights:
- Dating back to late 2023, the sexual misconduct allegations against Khan have been the subject of investigation by the UN's Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS).
- Khan's leave is unprecedented for the ICC and occurs during a sensitive period for the court, with ongoing high-profile cases.
- Women's rights organizations had previously called for Khan's resignation but were met with resistance prior to his temporary stepping down. Khan emphasized his commitment to the ICC's credibility and affirmed that he has not resigned and does not intend to do so.
- The investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against Karim Khan, the head of the International Criminal Court, is being conducted by the UN's Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), with the proceedings dating back to late 2023.
- In the interim, while the investigation is ongoing, Khan's deputies will manage his duties, and the timing of his temporary resignation coincides with intense pressure on the court from the US due to arrest warrants against Israeli officials.
- Meanwhile, debates surrounding sexual health and wellness, as well as general news, have emerged in the community discourse, with calls for transparency and accountability in cases of misconduct.
