Key Takeaways
- The International Criminal Court (ICC) is convening a secret ballot among 125 member states.
- Prosecutor Karim Khan, suspended over sexual assault allegations, faces potential removal from his position.
- Khan denies the accusations and argues that procedures were not respected.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is set to decide the future of its embattled prosecutor, Karim Khan, who has been suspended over sexual assault allegations. The 125 member states of the ICC are scheduled to vote on whether to relieve him of his duties in a closed-door session at UN headquarters in New York.
Khan was placed under suspension last month by the 21-member bureau of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP), which oversees the ICC. The decision came after an inquiry into allegations made by one of Khan’s female colleagues, who has since come forward to share her account with CNN. The alleged victim, Sarah, described a series of escalating incidents that culminated in physical assault.
Paivi Kaukoranta, head of the assembly overseeing the ICC, addressed the public during a brief session, emphasizing the need for privacy and respect for all parties involved. 'I trust that I can count on your cooperation to ensure that the assembly can address the matter in a way that fully respects the privacy and rights of the persons involved, as well as the court as an institution,' she stated.
Khan categorically denies the accusations and has published an open letter on X, calling on ICC member states not to remove him from his position. His legal team argues that the procedures allowing Khan to defend himself were not properly followed. They warn that if he is removed, 'every future prosecutor will understand the lesson: independence carries a price, and the machinery of the Court can be turned against its own officeholders whenever their independence becomes inconvenient.'
Khan’s tenure has been marked by high-profile cases, including the successful application for arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant over the Gaza war. The ICC also issued warrants for the arrest of several key leaders of Hamas, who have since been killed.
The decision on Khan’s fate is subject to a secret ballot by all 125 member states, with an absolute majority required to remove him from his position. The outcome will be determined during a closed-door session, highlighting the sensitive and complex nature of this disciplinary matter within the ICC.
While the exact details of the investigation are not public, Khan’s legal team asserts that it did not conclusively prove any wrongdoing against him. They argue that removing him would set a dangerous precedent for future prosecutors and undermine the independence of the court.
I trust that I can count on your cooperation to ensure that the assembly can address the matter in a way that fully respects the privacy and rights of the persons involved, as well as the court as an institution.
Paivi Kaukoranta, Head of the Assembly overseeing the ICC
Independence carries a price, and the machinery of the Court can be turned against its own officeholders whenever their independence becomes inconvenient.
Khan’s legal team, Attorneys for Karim Khan
