THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Britain’s Bar Standards Board (BSB) announced on Friday that it has issued an interim suspension against Karim Khan, who served as chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) until he was placed on leave by the court itself on June 8.
The move follows serious accusations of sexual misconduct that led the ICC to suspend him from his post, and now extends the restriction to his professional standing as a barrister regulated in the United Kingdom. The order took effect immediately upon announcement.
According to the regulatory body, the action was taken under its Enforcement Regulations, which allow for temporary measures while allegations are being examined. “Under the BSB’s Enforcement Regulations, the interim suspension must now be considered by an Interim Suspension Panel at a hearing within the next four weeks,” the board stated, outlining the next formal step in the process. This means the suspension will remain in place unless reviewed, modified, or lifted by the independent panel after a scheduled proceeding in the coming month.
Khan, aged 56, has consistently and firmly denied all claims of sexual misconduct made against him. He was appointed as ICC chief prosecutor in 2021, leading the court’s investigations into war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide across various countries.
The dual suspensions — first by the international court and now by his professional regulatory body — mark a significant development in his career, as authorities on both levels proceed with separate but parallel inquiries into the allegations.
