British barrister Karim Khan has publicly criticized the International Criminal Court’s decision to suspend him from his position as chief prosecutor, calling the action unjustified and a violation of court procedures. In his first remarks since the suspension, Khan spoke on Saudi Arabia’s Al Arabiya TV on Friday, stating through an interpreter that the executive bureau of the ICC’s oversight body acted unlawfully.

The move to suspend Khan followed an internal investigation by the ICC’s executive bureau, which reportedly found that he engaged in an inappropriate sexual relationship with a junior staff member. This finding led to the bureau’s decision to suspend him, pending further proceedings.

The suspension adds a new layer of complexity to the ICC’s governance at a time when the court is already under scrutiny. Khan has been the chief prosecutor since June 2021, overseeing investigations into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity worldwide.

The executive bureau’s decision now heads to the ICC’s Assembly of States Parties, a 125-member body representing the court’s member states. The Assembly is scheduled to hold a vote on Khan’s fate during its meeting in New York on July 24.

Khan’s denial of any wrongdoing and his assertion that the procedure was violated set the stage for a potentially contentious decision at the Assembly. The barrister’s case brings into focus the ICC’s internal governance mechanisms and the standards to which its senior officials are held.

Further details about the investigation and the specific procedures alleged to have been breached have not been publicly disclosed. The ICC has remained largely silent on the matter, emphasizing the confidentiality of its internal processes.

The outcome of the Assembly’s vote will determine whether Khan will remain in his post or face further disciplinary action. This development has drawn international attention, given Khan’s prominent role in prosecuting some of the world’s most serious crimes.