THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The British bar association has placed the International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor on temporary suspension, as disciplinary proceedings against him move forward.
Karim Khan, a 56-year-old British barrister, was stripped of his ICC duties last week after the court’s oversight body determined he had engaged in “serious misconduct” related to allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a female staff member. Khan has firmly denied all allegations.
The Bar Standards Board, which oversees attorneys who practice law in England and Wales, announced Friday that Khan has been suspended from legal practice. The board said a disciplinary hearing would take place within four weeks but declined to specify what information formed the basis of its decision.
Attorneys representing Khan said the British regulator’s suspension was rooted in the Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties’ finding of serious misconduct. In a statement, his legal team said Khan “unequivocally denies all allegations of impropriety” and pledged to take “all necessary steps to challenge the decision of the Bureau.”
The Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties — the executive committee of the ICC’s oversight body — concluded last week that Khan had committed a “serious misconduct” and a “serious breach of duty,” recommending he be removed from his position. A formal vote on whether to permanently oust him is set for next month.
The misconduct allegations against Khan have been swirling around the court in The Hague for more than two years. He is accused of sexual misconduct involving a female aide.
An investigation by The Associated Press in 2024 revealed, through whistleblower documents, that Khan allegedly noticed the woman working in a different ICC department and had her transferred to his office. In 2025, Khan had temporarily stepped away from his duties while a United Nations investigation was conducted.
A report released in April by the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services concluded there was evidence of “nonconsensual sexual contact” between Khan and his aide — occurring “in his office, at his private residence” and during an official mission, according to a copy reviewed by the AP. However, a three-judge panel tasked with legally evaluating those findings determined the investigation was not conclusive enough.
The ultimate decision about Khan’s future now rests with the 125-member Assembly of States Parties, the body that oversees the ICC. A diplomatic official, speaking without authorization to discuss the matter publicly, told the AP that several countries believe the misconduct allegations are politically motivated — an effort to derail the court’s investigation into Israel. “This is what happens when you go after friends of the U.S.,” the official said.
The ICC issued arrest warrants in 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister. In that ruling, judges stated there was reason to believe the two men used “starvation as a method of warfare” by limiting humanitarian aid and deliberately targeted civilians during Israel’s military campaign against Hamas in Gaza — allegations Israeli officials have rejected.
The Trump administration has imposed sanctions on Khan and roughly a dozen other court staff members connected to the Israel warrants and to investigations involving American personnel in Afghanistan. Those sanctions have disrupted a wide range of ongoing investigations at the court.
On Thursday, the ICC announced that a special session will be convened on July 24 in New York to hold the removal vote. Three senior officials familiar with the process, who were not authorized to speak on the record, said New York was chosen for logistical reasons — every member nation already has representation at the United Nations there.
For Khan to be removed, 63 countries would need to vote in favor. It remains uncertain who might take over the role. Two deputy prosecutors have been handling his responsibilities for the past year.
