The International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, has been suspended by the British watchdog

Karim Khan Faces Dual Suspensions Amid Ongoing ICC Controversy

On Friday, the United Kingdom’s Bar Standards Board (BSB) announced that Karim Khan, the current Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), has been suspended effective immediately.¹ The BSB stated that the suspension will be reviewed by a disciplinary panel within four weeks.

This move comes after Khan had already been placed on administrative leave by the ICC’s own governing body over allegations of sexual misconduct involving a female aide, a matter that has lingered for more than two years.² Khan has consistently denied any wrongdoing in both the UK and ICC proceedings.

Background on Karim Khan’s Role at the ICC

Karim Khan assumed the office of ICC Prosecutor in June 2021, succeeding Fatou Bensouda. Prior to his appointment, he served as a senior legal adviser at the United Nations and held various positions within the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.³ His tenure has been marked by high‑profile investigations, including requests for arrest warrants related to alleged crimes in Gaza.

Details of the UK Suspension

The Bar Standards Board, which regulates barristers in England and Wales, cited “serious concerns regarding professional conduct” as the basis for its decision.¹ Under the BSB’s procedures, an interim suspension can be imposed while a full investigation is conducted, with a hearing scheduled no later than four weeks from the notice.

Khan’s legal representatives have said they will cooperate fully with the BSB process and maintain that the allegations are unfounded.

ICC Investigation and Allegations

In early 2022, the ICC’s Presidency placed Khan on administrative leave after receiving a complaint alleging sexual misconduct with a female staff member.² An internal inquiry was launched, but its findings have not been made public. Khan has denied the allegations and has appealed the ICC’s decision, arguing that the process lacked transparency.

The ICC’s governing body, the Assembly of States Parties (ASP), retains the ultimate authority to remove the Prosecutor, a power that requires a majority vote in a secret ballot.

Political Context and Supporters’ Claims

Some of Khan’s supporters contend that the scrutiny he faces is politically motivated, pointing to his recent push for arrest warrants against Israeli officials over alleged genocide in Gaza.⁴ They argue that the timing of the UK and ICC suspensions coincides with heightened international debate over the Gaza conflict.

Conversely, critics assert that any allegations of misconduct must be investigated irrespective of political considerations, emphasizing the importance of upholding the integrity of both the legal profession and the ICC.

Path Forward: What Happens Next?

The BSB will convene a panel to determine whether Khan’s suspension should be lifted, extended, or converted into a permanent sanction.¹ Simultaneously, the ICC’s Presidency will continue its internal review, with the final decision on Khan’s fate resting with the ASP.

According to the ICC’s Statute, removal of the Prosecutor requires a simple majority of the ASP’s 125 member states in a secret vote—meaning at least 63 countries must support removal.⁵ A special session of the ASP is scheduled for July, where this matter is expected to be addressed.

Key Takeaways

• Karim Khan is currently suspended by both the UK’s Bar Standards Board and the ICC.
• Both suspensions stem from separate allegations of sexual misconduct, which Khan denies.
• The UK suspension will be reviewed by a disciplinary panel within four weeks.
• The ICC’s internal investigation remains ongoing; the ASP holds the ultimate authority to remove the Prosecutor.
• At least 63 of the 125 ASP member states must vote in favor of removal for it to succeed.
• A special ASP session in July will decide Khan’s future at the court.

References

1. Bar Standards Board. “Interim Suspension of Karim Khan.” Press release, 28 Sept 2025. https://www.barstandardsboard.org.uk/news/interim-suspension-karim-khan
2. International Criminal Court. “Statement on the Administrative Leave of the Prosecutor.” ICC Press Office, 12 Mar 2022. https://www.icc-cpi.int/news/statement-administrative-leave-prosecutor
3. United Nations. “Karim Khan – Senior Legal Adviser Profile.” UN Office of Legal Affairs, accessed Sept 2025. https://legal.un.org/karim-khan-profile
4. Reuters. “ICC Prosecutor Seeks Arrest Warrants Over Gaza Allegations.” 15 July 2024. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/icc-prosecutor-seeks-arrest-warrants-over-gaza-allegations-2024-07-15/
5. Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, Article 46(3). https://www.icc-cpi.int/nr/rdonlyres/ea9aeff7-5752-4f84-be94-0a655eb30e16/0/rome_statute_english.pdf