A decision was made to remove Karim Khan, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), in connection with the investigation into allegations of sexual harassment. The decision took effect immediately.
About the decision adopted by the Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court on June 8 through the official website of the court was informed.
According to the statement, Karim Khan’s powers have been temporarily suspended, and the final decision on his case will be taken later by the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute.
56-year-old Karim Khan has been known as one of the most prominent figures of the International Criminal Court in recent years. In 2023, he secured an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Children’s Rights Representative Maria Lvova-Belova.
In 2024, on his initiative, arrest warrants were issued against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the country’s former Defense Minister Yoav Galant.
However, in the same year, one of the employees of HJS accused Karim Khan of sexual harassment. The woman claims that the prosecutor made inappropriate actions towards her for a long time and tried to force her into sexual relations.
The allegations were followed by an independent investigation by the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute. In May 2025, it was announced that Karim Khan would go on administrative leave and not perform his duties until the investigation process was completed.
Karim Khan has been denying all the accusations against him. He said the allegations are untrue and he is willing to cooperate with the investigation.
According to observers, this decision is one of the most resonant events in the history of the International Criminal Court, which is the reason for serious attention to be paid to the authority and activities of the organization.
