ICC prosecutor general accused of sexual harassment

On June 8, the ICC's Executive Committee voted to refer the case against Khan to a special session of the court's member states to determine his future, The Guardian reports.

The committee, comprising 21 member states, voted by a qualified majority to find Khan guilty of serious misconduct in connection with the allegations of sexual harassment.

Khan, a prominent British lawyer, has repeatedly denied the allegations, which first surfaced in 2024 and have wreaked havoc on his tenure as the court's chief prosecutor. The accusations were brought by a woman who worked for him at the court's headquarters in The Hague.

The decision to refer the case to the ICC's 125 member states is an unprecedented step for the court of last resort and could lead to a vote on the prosecutor's dismissal.

In its statement, the governing body noted that the decision to remove Khan does not indicate a final outcome. Khan has already temporarily stepped down from leading the ICC unit that investigates and prosecutes individuals accused of atrocities.

The Executive Committee made its decision based on the report of the UN oversight body and the recommendations of a panel of forensic experts, as well as written submissions believed to have been submitted by Khan and the alleged victim.

Photo: icc-cpi.int.