Published on 6/19/2026
The British Bar Standards Board on Friday temporarily suspended the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan, accused of sexual misconduct, from practicing the profession.
The International Criminal Court actually arrested Khan on June 8, prolonging a crisis in the court that examines war crimes and is also currently subject to US sanctions due to its investigations into cases related to the United States and Israel.
The Council said in a statement that a specialized committee will consider the suspension decision, effective immediately, in a session to be held within 4 weeks.
Khan (56 years old) denies the accusations against him. His supporters believe that he has become a political target because of his efforts to issue arrest warrants against Israeli officials against the backdrop of Israel’s crimes in the Gaza war.
The court’s 125 member states will vote on Khan’s fate at an extraordinary session of its administrative body on July 24.
Although the United States is not a member state of the court, it imposed sanctions on 11 judges and prosecutors – including Khan – for issuing two arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant, and for conducting a previous investigation into American forces in Afghanistan.
After allegations against Khan surfaced in 2024, the court commissioned an external party to conduct an investigation into the matter. In May 2025, Khan took a voluntary leave and his two deputies took over his work duties.
A summary seen by Reuters said that the secret investigation over 18 months found a “factual basis” for the allegations made by one of his female assistants, in which she said that he had a sexual relationship with a younger employee without her consent.
Khan denies committing violations, and said he will take all necessary steps to appeal the criminal court’s decision to suspend him from work.
