UK legal watchdog upholds suspension of ICC prosecutor Karim Khan
6 reported
Britain’s legal watchdog has upheld a suspension for International Criminal Court chief prosecutor Karim Khan over allegations of sexual misconduct, banning him from practicing law in his home country. The Bar Standards Board suspended Khan in June following a complaint, and after a hearing last week the bar association upheld the decision while disciplinary proceedings continue. Khan, 56, faces allegations related to a female aide, a scandal that has lasted more than two years, and has denied wrongdoing. The ICC’s oversight body, the Assembly of States Parties, will vote on July 24 on whether to remove Khan from office. Separately, the U.S. administration of President Donald Trump has announced a campaign to dismantle the ICC, including sanctions against Khan and a dozen other ICC staff. The European Union condemned the U.S. announcement and said it is facilitating measures to ensure the ICC’s operations continue.
What’s reported
Britain’s Bar Standards Board suspended Khan in June after a complaint, and the bar association upheld the suspension after a hearing last week.
Khan faces allegations of sexual misconduct related to a female aide; he has denied wrongdoing.
The ICC’s oversight body, the Assembly of States Parties, will hold a special session on July 24 at the United Nations headquarters in New York to vote on Khan’s removal.
The executive committee of the ICC’s oversight body concluded that Khan had committed serious misconduct and recommended his removal.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a campaign to dismantle the ICC, including pressuring member states to withdraw, sanctioning organizations that work with the court, and banning ICC staff from traveling to the U.S.
The European Union condemned the U.S. announcement and said it is facilitating measures to ensure the ICC’s operations continue.
Key figures
Karim Khan, ICC chief prosecutor
Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State
Siobhan McGarry, European Commission spokesperson
Sources: abcnews.com
