By Karim Khan, the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), has voluntarily taken a leave of absence as an external investigation into sexual misconduct allegations nears completion. The move, which comes amid growing public and institutional pressure, is aimed at preserving the integrity of the Court and ensuring a fair process for all parties involved.
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Khan’s decision was confirmed in a statement issued by the ICC on Friday. “My decision is driven by deep and unwavering commitment to the credibility of our office and the court, and to safeguard the integrity of the process and fairness to all involved,” Khan said.
The investigation into Khan’s conduct began in December 2024 and is being conducted by the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services. Although the specific details and number of complainants have not been disclosed, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters and other media outlets that the allegations include inappropriate conduct toward junior staff.
Khan, who took office in June 2021, has led the ICC through some of its most high-profile and politically sensitive cases. Under his leadership, the court issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin over the deportation of Ukrainian children, and for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over alleged war crimes in Gaza. Neither Russia nor Israel are members of the ICC, and both have rejected the Court’s jurisdiction and accusations.
The prosecutor’s leave comes at a critical juncture for the ICC, which is currently navigating complex investigations into the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. Khan’s departure raises questions about continuity in leadership, but court officials insist that the work of the Office of the Prosecutor will continue unhindered.
Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan, a former judge and diplomat from Fiji, will assume his responsibilities on an interim basis. “The Office is not a one-man show,” said Alix Vuillemin of the Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice. “Removing an individual whose alleged behaviour may have fuelled a toxic work culture may strengthen the office’s ability to carry out its mandate with professionalism and public trust.”
Human rights organizations have welcomed Khan’s move, viewing it as a vital step in preserving the credibility of the court and the confidence of victims. “This is a sign that no one is above the law,” said Danya Chaikel of FIDH, the International Federation for Human Rights. “It’s a moment of recognition and dignity for the alleged victim and whistleblowers.”
Khan had initially resisted calls from within the ICC and among civil society groups to step aside while the probe was ongoing. His decision to do so now appears to be in response to growing consensus that the ICC’s integrity must remain above reproach, especially during a time when its authority is being tested on the global stage.
The ICC has not indicated when the final report on the investigation will be released. For now, the international legal community will be closely watching both the outcome of the probe and how the court maintains momentum on its high-stakes cases.
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