ICC prosecutor Khan on leave amid sexual misconduct probe

17/5/2025 7:25

The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan, has stepped aside temporarily as an investigation by the United Nations into alleged sexual misconduct by him nears its end, his office said on Friday.



The move is unprecedented and there is no clear procedure for replacing Khan. The situation creates added uncertainty for the ICC, which is already facing an existential crisis due to U.S. sanctions over its arrest warrants for Israeli officials.



Khan's office said the prosecutor had taken leave until the end of the investigation by the U.N. Office of Internal Oversight Services.



In a written statement, Khan's attorneys rejected all allegations of wrongdoing. They said he said he had taken leave because media attention on the matter affected his ability to focus on his work but did not intend to resign.