BY OUR CORRESPONDENT
THE CHIEF Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Kareem Kan has been dramatically suspended from duty with immediate effect following a late-night crisis meeting over allegations of misconduct, The SCM can reveal.
In an unprecedented move that has sent shockwaves through the international community, the global tribunal’s leadership confirmed that the prosecutor has been stripped of powers while a fast-tracked disciplinary investigation is handed over to the court’s governing body.
An emergency global summit is now being rushed into the diary to determine if the under-fire legal chief will be permanently sacked.
The explosive decision was hammered out during tense, late-night talks by the Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties—the political body that oversees the Hague-based court.
In a stark statement released today, the ICC Presidency admitted they had “taken note” of the decision to bench the prosecutor immediately while investigators dig into the allegations.
The statement read:
”The Presidency of the International Criminal Court takes note of the decision taken by the Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute last night to refer the disciplinary proceedings against the Prosecutor of the Court to the Assembly of States Parties, as the competent decision-maker; suspend the Prosecutor from duty with immediate effect, pending the final decision; and convene a special session of the Assembly of States Parties for it to consider the matter.”
Top court bosses added that they are treating the crisis with extreme urgency, issuing a direct plea to member states to “conclude the process with the highest priority.”
While the exact nature of the disciplinary proceedings remains shrouded in secrecy, insiders say the suspension was deemed absolutely necessary to protect the court’s tattered reputation and ensure staff well-being.
Founded in 2002 under the Rome Statute, the International Criminal Court is the world’s permanent tribunal designed to prosecute individuals for humanity’s worst horrors: war crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity, and crimes of aggression.
Headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, its jurisdiction covers 124 member states.
The position of Chief Prosecutor is arguably one of the most powerful and high-profile legal roles on the planet, responsible for initiating investigations and tracking down some of the world’s most notorious warlords and dictators.
However, the office of the prosecutor has long been a lightning rod for intense political controversy. The court has faced fierce historical backlash from global superpowers including the United States, Russia, and Israel—none of whom are members—who have frequently accused the prosecutor’s office of political bias and overreaching its mandate.
This latest internal scandal threatens to plunge the institution into its deepest credibility crisis since its inception, turning the spotlight away from international war criminals and directly onto the conduct of its own top law enforcement officer.
Defending the integrity of the institution, the ICC Presidency insisted that ensuring justice for victims of atrocities and protecting the rights of court workers remain paramount.
”Pursuing accountability for international crimes through independent and impartial proceedings, providing recognition and redress to victims of mass atrocities, as well as fostering the dignity, rights and aspirations of the Court’s personnel are key priorities of the Court’s leadership,” an ICC spokesperson said.
“These values are shared by all ICC officials, whose dedication to the Court’s mandate will always remain unwavering.”
Hague chiefs are now desperately trying to steady the ship, pleading with the international community not to lose faith in the legal body.
Describing the ICC as “one of the most significant achievements of human civilisation,” the Presidency urged everyone to put the court’s survival ahead of personal scandal.
The spokesperson added: “The Presidency invites everyone in the Court and all stakeholders to place in the forefront, at all times, the interests of the institution and our collective duty to offer the victims and affected communities the justice and hope they deserve, for the sake of present and future generations.”
