The International Criminal Court has suspended its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, following an internal investigation into allegations of misconduct. The decision, announced late on Tuesday, marks an unprecedented crisis for the institution tasked with prosecuting the world’s worst atrocities.
Court officials confirmed that Khan will step aside pending the outcome of a full disciplinary hearing. The investigation, conducted by the ICC’s independent oversight mechanism, found prima facie evidence of ethical breaches, including conflicts of interest and misuse of office resources.
Khan, a British barrister who took office in 2021, has denied any wrongdoing. In a statement issued through his legal team, he described the suspension as “a procedural step that does not prejudge the merits.” He added that he would cooperate fully with the process.
The suspension has sent shockwaves through the international legal community. Diplomats and human rights groups expressed concern that the scandal could undermine the court’s credibility at a time when it is pursuing high-profile cases, including investigations into alleged war crimes in Ukraine and Gaza.
“This is a body blow to the ICC’s authority,” said Professor Sarah Jenkins, a specialist in international criminal law at the London School of Economics. “The court relies on the perception of impartiality and integrity. Any hint of misconduct at the top erodes that trust.”
Under the Rome Statute, the ICC’s presidency has appointed an interim prosecutor to handle ongoing operations. Sources inside the court said the suspension was likely to delay key investigations and hearings, including the upcoming confirmation of charges against a senior militia commander from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Several state parties to the ICC have privately voiced alarm. Western diplomats warned that the crisis could hamper efforts to secure new cooperation agreements with countries wary of the court’s reach. Russia, which withdrew from the ICC in 2016, has seized on the news to renew its criticism of the institution as politicised.
The ICC was established in 2002 to prosecute genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. It has faced previous controversies, including the collapse of cases against Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and Ivory Coast’s Laurent Gbagbo. However, the suspension of its most senior prosecutor is without precedent.
Khan’s predecessor, Fatou Bensouda, served for nine years without major scandal. Her tenure was marked by steady if incremental progress in building the court’s docket. Khan, by contrast, adopted a more assertive style and sought to expand the ICC’s focus to crimes involving environmental destruction and digital warfare.
Critics have questioned the timing of the investigation. Some suggest internal rivalries at the court may have driven the probe. Court officials declined to comment, citing confidentiality rules.
The ICC’s Assembly of State Parties, which oversees the court’s budget and administration, is expected to discuss the crisis at its next session in December. Several states have called for an urgent review of governance procedures to prevent future scandals.
For now, the court’s work continues under a cloud of uncertainty. The suspension of its chief prosecutor is a stark reminder that even institutions built to deliver justice are not immune to the flaws of human behaviour.
