The International Criminal Court (ICC) member states voted Wednesday to advance disciplinary proceedings against Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan following reports of sexual assault allegations, according to officials cited by The Wall Street Journal. The decision comes as Khan temporarily steps aside from his role overseeing war crimes investigations amid an internal inquiry.
Two separate reports allege non-consensual sexual conduct involving a lawyer within the prosecutor’s office. Khan has denied all wrongdoing, stating through representatives that he will fully cooperate with the investigation. The ICC has not yet issued an official statement regarding the vote.
This development occurs amid high-profile ICC investigations into conflicts in Asia and beyond. Legal experts suggest the proceedings could impact ongoing cases, including those related to alleged atrocities in Myanmar and the Philippines. Reuters noted it could not independently verify the vote’s outcome at the time of reporting.
