ICC Chief Prosecutor Suspended Over Sexual Harassment Allegations

Darwin, 09 June : The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, has been temporarily suspended over allegations of sexual harassment. He has been removed by a vote of member states until a final decision is made regarding evidence of misconduct.

Late Monday night, the Court’s Registry informed about the decision.

According to diplomatic sources cited by the German news agency Deutsche Welle on Tuesday, the ICC’s Executive Bureau of the Presidency issued a ruling after an 18-month investigation into allegations that Khan had non-consensual sexual relations with a lawyer in his office. The bureau found that Khan engaged in serious misconduct. However, Karim Khan has consistently denied the allegations.

He had previously been involved in issuing arrest warrants against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in connection with the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.

The ICC’s Presidency will send their decision to the Court’s 125 member states, who are expected to vote at a later date on Khan’s potential removal.

What are the allegations?

The allegations against Khan were first reported to the Court’s independent oversight body more than two years ago.

It was alleged that Khan repeatedly harassed a female ICC staff member over an extended period.

A copy of a report from the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), seen by the Associated Press, states that he engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with the staffer in his office, at his private residence, and while on a mission.

Earlier, various sources told Reuters that a UN investigation had found a “factual basis” for the allegations of sexual misconduct. However, a second report, reviewed by three judges, stated that the evidence was insufficient to prove the allegations “beyond a reasonable doubt.”

While the ICC has suspended Karim Khan, no criminal charges have been filed against him.

What happens next?

The ICC’s 21-member oversight Executive Committee and the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) Bureau, which includes representatives of member states, have decided to forward the case to the Assembly.

The Bureau stated that the decision to suspend Khan was made by a “special majority.” The assessment was based on “a report of the OIOS investigation, primary evidence, advice from a judicial expert ad hoc panel, and written submissions.”

Khan’s removal from office will require a majority vote of the ICC’s 125 member states, conducted by secret ballot.