ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan Suspended by British Bar Amid Misconduct Allegations

The UK Bar Standards Board has temporarily suspended International Criminal Court chief prosecutor Karim Khan, effective June 19, pending disciplinary proceedings. The suspension follows a finding by the ICC’s Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties that Khan engaged in "serious misconduct" and a breach of duty after an 18‑month investigation into alleged non‑consensual sexual contact with a female ICC aide.

Khan, who has denied all allegations, was removed from his duties at the ICC in May 2025 while a United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services review took place. The British regulator said a hearing will be held within four weeks to consider the interim suspension. The ICC’s governing body is set to vote next month on whether to permanently remove Khan from office.

The controversy surrounds Khan’s recent actions at the court, including the pursuit of arrest warrants for Israeli officials, which led to U.S. sanctions against him. His legal team states he will “take all necessary steps to challenge the decision.”