The embattled chief prosecutor of the Worldwide Felony Courtroom was suspended from his duties late Monday, after the court docket’s oversight physique referred Karim Khan for disciplinary proceedings.
In a scandal that has dragged on for greater than two years, Khan is going through allegations of sexual misconduct with a feminine aide. He has steadfastly denied any wrongdoing.
A ultimate determination on the destiny of the British barrister is now as much as the Meeting of States Events, the physique that oversees the ICC, which is able to maintain a particular session to determine if Khan can stay in his job on the international court docket.
The Bureau of the Meeting of States events — the chief committee of the court docket’s oversight physique — mentioned in a press release on Monday that it primarily based its evaluation on “on the report of an investigation undertaken by the United Nations Workplace of Inside Oversight Companies (OIOS), the underlying proof, the recommendation of an advert hoc Panel of judicial consultants, and written submissions.”
The U.N. investigation discovered proof that Khan had “nonconsensual sexual contact with (the aide) in his workplace, at his personal residence, and while on mission,” in response to a duplicate of its report seen by The Related Press. Nonetheless, a three-judge panel chosen by the chief committee for a authorized evaluation of the findings discovered that the investigation was not conclusive sufficient.
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Khan had already briefly stepped down in Might 2025 pending the end result of the investigation. The method is unprecedented for the ICC, and the Meeting of States Events has needed to repeatedly create new guidelines to accommodate the scenario.
The allegations towards Khan have been first reported to the court docket’s unbiased watchdog greater than two years in the past. An AP investigation revealed that Khan was alleged to have seen the lady working in one other ICC division and moved her into his workplace. She later turned a daily presence on official journeys, in response to whistleblower paperwork.
On one international journey, Khan allegedly requested her to relaxation with him on a lodge mattress after which “sexually touched her,” the paperwork mentioned. Different alleged nonconsensual conduct cited within the paperwork included locking the door of his workplace and sticking his hand in her pocket. He additionally allegedly requested her a number of instances to accompany him on a trip.
Solely the Meeting of States Events has the authority to take away Khan from workplace, a transfer that might require a majority in a secret poll of its 125 member states. Sixty-three international locations would wish to assist a measure to take away him.
No date was instantly set for the session, however the meeting mentioned it will be convened as quickly as potential.
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