International Criminal Court (ICC) Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan has taken a leave of absence amid a United Nations investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct, including claims that he coerced a female aide into a sexual relationship and engaged in non-consensual touching.
“I have made the considered decision to take leave,” Khan said in a statement. “My decision is driven by a 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 has denied the allegations, which were first reported to the ICC’s oversight body in May 2024, shortly before he requested arrest warrants for senior Israeli and Hamas leaders. The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the U.N.’s Office of Internal Oversight Services and is reportedly nearing completion.
According to an ICC statement, Khan informed the court that he would remain on leave “until the end” of the external probe. In his absence, deputy prosecutors are overseeing the operations of his office.
Women’s rights groups and international NGOs welcomed Khan’s decision, saying it supports the court’s institutional integrity. “In any other professional setting, someone facing such serious allegations would have been expected to step down months ago,” said Eimear Shine, spokesperson for the Hague-based Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice.
Despite Khan’s leave and ongoing U.S. sanctions against him over the Israel-related arrest warrants, the ICC maintains that its investigations and cases continue without disruption. Some have claimed the sanctions were politically motivated and timed to coincide with the misconduct allegations in an effort to influence Western opinion on the court’s actions against Israel.
“The cases and investigations have been carried out by professionals,” said Danya Chaikel, an ICC legal affairs representative.
Khan’s legal team emphasized that he has not resigned and remains committed to upholding the court’s credibility and mandate.
