Russia seeks extradition of former ICC prosecutor Karim Khan

Russia will seek the extradition of former International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan, who issued an arrest warrant for President Vladimir Putin, in order to bring him to justice, according to a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry.

The ministry said that, following his suspension, Khan would no longer enjoy the immunity granted to international officials in countries that are parties to the Rome Statute.

"We hope this will help secure his extradition to Russia so that he can be held accountable for attempting to criminally prosecute individuals he knew to be innocent and for encroaching on persons protected under international law," the Foreign Ministry said.

Karim Khan, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, was suspended with immediate effect in June 2026 by the Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties following an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct involving a junior female staff member. 

The allegations first emerged in 2024 and involved claims of coercive and non-consensual sexual behaviour between 2023 and 2024. Khan took voluntary leave in May 2025 pending a United Nations inquiry. The inquiry found a factual basis for the claims, but a subsequent judicial panel ruled that the evidence was insufficient to prove misconduct beyond a reasonable doubt.

The oversight body determined he had committed serious misconduct and a serious breach of duty, recommending his removal, after which the full Assembly of States Parties voted in July 2026 to dismiss him.

By Jeyhun Aghazada