• ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan suspended over misconduct allegations.
• A special session of the Assembly of States Parties will vote on his future.
• UN investigation found evidence of nonconsensual sexual contact.
• Khan has denied all allegations and described the process as flawed.
• A two-thirds majority is needed in a secret ballot to remove him from office.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has taken the unprecedented step of suspending its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, following prolonged investigations into allegations of sexual misconduct with a female aide. The court's oversight body announced this decision on Monday, with the matter now forwarded to the Assembly of States Parties for further proceedings, including a special session to vote on Khan's future. This move does not imply any predetermined outcome regarding his position, according to SCMP and Al Jazeera.

The allegations stem from a two-year-long investigation, which reviewed evidence of nonconsensual sexual contact between Khan and his aide. Details of the accusations include unwanted touching during official trips and instances where Khan allegedly manipulated the situation to isolate the aide. Despite the substantiated claims found by a United Nations investigation, a three-judge panel determined that the evidence was not sufficiently conclusive to establish formal charges against him, as reported by BBC and CBS News.

Khan, who had stepped down temporarily in May 2025 pending the investigation, continues to reject all allegations. His legal team has characterized the suspension as "unlawful" and lacking in procedural fairness, with Khan asserting that the inquiries are politically motivated aimed at undermining his role. A final decision regarding his potential removal from office rests with the Assembly of States Parties, which requires a two-thirds majority in a secret ballot, as highlighted by Africanews and CBS News.

As this situation develops, it draws attention to broader concerns regarding the management and credibility of the ICC amid ongoing international scrutiny. Khan's actions, including issuing arrest warrants against leaders such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have previously put him at odds with powerful nations, complicating the narrative surrounding his tenure and the allegations against him, according to SCMP and BBC.