ICC prosecutor removed after sexual misconduct allegations

The International Criminal Court announced the removal of prosecutor Karim Khan on Friday following an investigation into allegations that he engaged in an improper sexual relationship with a junior staff member and sought to prevent her from filing a formal complaint. Khan has denied the allegations. The move represents a significant institutional disruption at the Court, which has faced criticism over its handling of senior-level misconduct in the past.

The investigation was conducted by the ICC's Office of Internal Audit, which reported its findings to the Court's leadership. Khan's removal comes as the Court continues its work on multiple ongoing cases, including investigations into alleged war crimes in Ukraine, Palestine, and other jurisdictions.

The incident raises questions about institutional accountability and the safeguards in place for junior staff within international organisations. The ICC's governing structure and its procedures for handling such complaints have drawn scrutiny from member states and civil society observers.