UK legal watchdog upholds ICC prosecutor’s suspension, as decision on his firing looms

Britain’s legal watchdog has upheld the suspension of International Criminal Court (ICC) Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan over allegations of sexual misconduct, marking a critical step in the ongoing controversy surrounding his leadership. The decision, made by the UK’s Bar Standards Board, follows a formal complaint and a recent hearing, during which the board reaffirmed its stance that Khan’s actions constitute serious misconduct. This ruling comes as the ICC’s Assembly of States Parties prepares to decide whether to remove Khan from his position, with a special session scheduled for July 24 at the United Nations headquarters in New York. The suspension, imposed in June, was described by the regulatory body as a response to “very serious and urgent cases.” Khan, 56, has consistently denied wrongdoing, maintaining that the allegations are unfounded. His legal team has yet to issue a public statement regarding the latest ruling. Meanwhile, the ICC’s oversight body, known as the Executive Committee, had previously concluded that Khan had engaged in serious misconduct and recommended his removal from office. These findings were based on whistleblower documents that detailed multiple instances of alleged inappropriate conduct involving a female aide. According to the documents, Khan reportedly moved the aide into his office after seeing her work in another department and later included her regularly on official trips. On one occasion, he allegedly asked her to rest with him on a hotel bed and then sexually touched her. Additional claims include locking the door of his office and inserting his hand into her pocket. The aide was also reportedly asked repeatedly to join him on vacations. These allegations, initially reported by the court’s independent watchdog, have been central to the growing scrutiny of Khan’s tenure. The situation has intensified amid broader geopolitical tensions, particularly with the United States under President Donald Trump. The Trump administration has long viewed the ICC as a threat to U.S. sovereignty and has taken steps to counter its influence. On Monday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a “sweeping campaign” aimed at dismantling the court’s authority. This includes pressuring member states to withdraw from the ICC, sanctioning organizations that support the court, and restricting travel for ICC staff to the United States. The strategy targets countries benefiting from the U.S. security umbrella, urging them to reject the court’s jurisdiction over American citizens. The U.S. has already imposed sanctions on Khan and a dozen other ICC officials in retaliation for warrants issued against Israeli officials over alleged war crimes in Gaza and ongoing investigations into U.S. personnel in Afghanistan. Despite these tensions, the Rome Statute, which established the ICC in 2002, grants the court jurisdiction over crimes such as war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and aggression, provided they occur within the territories of member states or involve their nationals. While the U.S. signed the treaty, it has not ratified it, leaving it outside the court’s direct authority. Israel, meanwhile, is not a member and has never signed the agreement. The European Union has expressed concern over the U.S. campaign, stating that it is already taking all necessary measures to ensure the ICC’s continued operation. As the ICC faces mounting external pressures, the outcome of the upcoming assembly vote will likely shape the future direction of the court and its ability to function independently in a politically charged environment. The decision on Khan’s fate remains pending, with the world watching closely for the next developments.