ICC chief prosecutor suspended over sex abuse allegations

International

THE International Criminal Court (ICC) has suspended Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan pending a final decision on sexual abuse allegations hurled against him.

ICC’s Assembly of States Parties (ASP) announced that a qualified majority had voted to suspend Khan from duty with immediate effect pending a final decision on his case.

The body emphasized that the measure does not prejudge the outcome of the proceedings against him.

Khan, who denied the allegations, has been on leave since May 2025 and had already been removed from pleading in the ICC’s case against former Philippine Rodrigo Duterte, a report by Agence France-Presse said.

The suspension is expected to have little practical effect on the court’s ongoing work.

Khan had already stepped aside from his duties in May 2025 while contesting the allegations.

A special session of the ASP will be convened to discuss Khan’s case. Despite the suspension, the ICC’s work is expected to continue, as Khan has not been actively carrying out prosecutorial duties during his absence.

Khan drew global attention for his role in seeking arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant over the Gaza war. The move prompted criticism from the United States, which later imposed sanctions on him.(Althea Alexis M. Dimasuhid, CNU Main Campus BA Comm Intern)