World Criminal Court Suspends Chief Prosecutor Khan Amid Sexual Assault Allegations

This was preceded by proceedings based on a United Nations investigation. A United Nations commission had examined the allegations and presented its report in December 2025. On this basis, three judges of the World Criminal Court had drawn up a legal opinion. Both the UN commission's report and the legal opinion of the three judges have not been published to date.

The 56-year-old British lawyer Khan had been Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court since 2021. In this capacity, he had, among other things, issued an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and against Russian President Vladimir Putin. Neither of those two countries nor the United States are members of the court.

Political Pressure on the Criminal Court

Back in 2024, a close staff member had accused the British lawyer of sexual assault. He is alleged to have harassed her repeatedly and over a prolonged period, and forced her into sexual acts. Khan denies all allegations. "Er bestreitet alle Vorhaltungen", the report states. Khan has been temporarily stepping back from his duties for just over a year and had wanted to return once the allegations were clarified.

With the suspension now imposed, the institutional handling of the allegations has taken a significant step further. Whereas Khan had previously only temporarily stepped back from his duties, he has now been formally relieved of his post. The announced special session of the Assembly of States Parties is to decide on the final fate of his term in office.

Outlook on the Special Session

The International Criminal Court became operational in 2002 on the basis of the Rome Statute, the court's founding treaty. 125 states have signed the court's founding treaty, including all EU member states. The United States, Russia, and Israel are not members of the court.

The allegations against Khan come at a time when the Criminal Court is already under considerable political pressure. Particularly because of the arrest warrant against Netanyahu, the United States intensified its pressure on the court and imposed sanctions on staff and judges. These sanctions had additionally complicated the court's work.

Khan's suspension raises questions about the independence and integrity of the International Criminal Court. As Chief Prosecutor, Khan represented the prosecution in proceedings for war crimes and crimes against humanity. A special session of the Assembly of States Parties must now clarify how his conduct in office is to proceed.

Until a final decision on a possible removal from office is made, Khan remains suspended. Exactly when the special session of the Assembly of States Parties will take place remains open. The Bureau in The Hague only announced that it should be convened as soon as possible.