ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan to Face Disciplinary Inquiry Amid Misconduct Allegations

The Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, is facing disciplinary proceedings over allegations of sexual misconduct, adding to mounting challenges confronting the Hague-based tribunal.

Khan, who oversees prosecutions related to genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, has temporarily stepped aside pending the outcome of an inquiry into the allegations, according to reports. He has been accused of engaging in a non-consensual sexual interaction with a female lawyer within his office. Khan has strongly denied any wrongdoing.

According to sources, a core group of ICC member states voted on Wednesday to move forward with disciplinary measures, with 15 countries supporting the decision, two abstaining and four opposing it.

The development represents another period of turbulence for the court, which has been under heightened international scrutiny in recent months. A report by investigators linked to the United Nations reportedly found a “factual basis” for the allegations and indicated that witness testimonies lent support to the complainant’s account.

However, a separate review conducted by a panel of three judges concluded that the evidence did not meet the threshold required to establish the claims “beyond a reasonable doubt.” Lawyers representing Khan have also maintained that the panel unanimously found no misconduct or breach of duty based on the available facts.

The case has exposed divisions among ICC member states. A bloc of African countries is said to have advocated for the matter to be dropped, arguing that the judicial findings effectively cleared the prosecutor. At the same time, some officials within the prosecutor’s office have expressed concern about Khan remaining in his position, with their views reportedly presented during recent deliberations.

The ICC has not issued an official statement, citing the ongoing nature of the proceedings.

The situation unfolds at a sensitive moment for the court, following its decision to issue arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant in 2025. The warrants, linked to alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza conflict, drew strong criticism from Israel and its allies, particularly the United States.

Washington subsequently imposed sanctions targeting ICC officials, a move widely criticised by human rights organisations as undermining international justice mechanisms.

Israel, which is not a member of the ICC, has rejected the court’s jurisdiction and denied the allegations against its leaders. Netanyahu has described the warrants as politically motivated and anti-Semitic, while maintaining that Israel’s military operations comply with international law.