The suspension of prosecutor Karim Khan plunges the International Criminal Court into a new crisis

The suspension of the International Criminal Court (ICC) chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, decided this week following allegations of sexual misconduct, is exacerbating internal tensions within the institution and could prolong a period of instability already marked by international political pressure.

According to the report, this suspension comes at a particularly tense time for the ICC, which is facing divisions among member states and persistent hostility from several powers, including the United States. The Court is also facing US sanctions related to some of its sensitive investigations.

Karim Khan, a 56-year-old British lawyer, has attracted as much support as criticism during his tenure. He is notably at the heart of controversial proceedings targeting Israeli officials for alleged actions related to the Gaza conflict, as well as Hamas leaders, which has strongly polarized international reactions.

The internal investigation that led to his suspension was based on allegations of inappropriate behavior. According to the evidence cited, a UN investigation uncovered some factual elements of misconduct, while external assessments deemed the evidence insufficient to clearly establish the alleged facts.

Karim Khan strongly denies the accusations, claiming to be the victim of a political campaign and procedural violations. His stance contributes to maintaining tensions within the Court, where several member states believe, on the contrary, that the institution must demonstrate exemplary conduct in the fight against harassment.

This case comes at a time when the ICC is already experiencing institutional fragility. Disagreements between States Parties regarding its role, its investigations, and its independence could lead to several more months of deadlock, or even a broader questioning of its functioning.

An extraordinary meeting of the Court's governing body could be considered in the coming months in an attempt to resolve the internal crisis and restore the stability of the institution.