The International Criminal Court (ICC) has taken the unprecedented step of suspending its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, following allegations of sexual misconduct. Khan, a British barrister, has denied these claims, which involve accusations of nonconsensual sexual contact with a female aide. The issue has persisted for over two years and remains unresolved.

The Assembly of States Parties, which oversees the ICC, will hold a special session to determine Khan’s future with the court. This decision follows an investigation by the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services. The investigation produced evidence against Khan, which an ad hoc Panel of judicial experts reviewed. However, the panel found the evidence inconclusive, leaving Khan’s fate uncertain.

While the suspension is in place, the Assembly of States Parties needs a majority vote from its 125 member states to officially remove Khan from his position. This requires support from 63 countries to pass.

The allegations date back over two years, first reported by the court’s independent watchdog. An investigation revealed that Khan allegedly moved the aide from another department into his office, involving her in official trips. Whistleblower documents indicated that Khan’s behavior included inviting her to rest with him in a hotel and inappropriate touching. There were further reports of Khan locking his office door during encounters and asking her to join him on vacations.

The Assembly has yet to announce a date for the session but intends to convene it swiftly. The court is navigating unfamiliar territory, creating new procedures to address this unique situation.