Temporary Resignation of International Criminal Court Chief Prosecutor Amid Sexual Misconduct Allegations
Prosecutor Khan temporarily steps down from his position.
The Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, has taken a temporary leave of absence following allegations of sexual misconduct. Until the conclusion of an investigation led by the United Nations' Office of Internal Oversight Services, Khan will step back from his position.
The accusations, made by an employee last year, allege multiple instances of sexual misconduct over an extended period[1]. The prosecutor denied the allegations as unfounded and called for an independent investigation. The investigation, initiated in November 2023, is now in its final stages[3].
Khan's leave commenced on May 16, 2025. During his absence, his deputies will perform his duties[1]. Women’s rights organizations have welcomed this decision, having previously called for his resignation[1].
This temporary resignation adds to the challenges facing the ICC, particularly with ongoing cases against figures such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas leaders amidst sensitive regional conflicts[1]. The outcome of the investigation will determine Khan's future at the court.
- The Hague
- International Criminal Court
Insights:
- The investigation is being led by the United Nations' Office of Internal Oversight Services, the UN’s internal monitoring body[1][3].
- Two ICC employees, confidants of the alleged victim, reported the misconduct in May 2024, just before Khan pursued high-profile arrest warrants[1].
- The prosecutor maintains his "deep and unwavering commitment to the Court's credibility" and emphasizes that his decision to step aside is to ensure the integrity of the investigative process[3].
- No conclusions or results have been publicly released as the investigation remains active[1][3].
- Khan's temporary leave is expected to last until the investigation is completed to avoid interference with the process[1][3].
- The United Nations' Office of Internal Oversight Services, the Hague-based internal monitoring body, is leading the investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan.
- As part of the general-news circle, the ongoing investigation into Khan's conduct adds to the challenges facing the ICC, particularly with ongoing cases involving figures such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas leaders in sensitive regional conflicts.
- In the realm of crime-and-justice, Khan insisted on his "deep and unwavering commitment to the Court's credibility" by taking a temporary leave of absence from his position, awaiting the results of the investigation to ensure the integrity of the investigative process.
