ICC votes 82–43 to remove chief prosecutor Karim Khan over misconduct

The International Criminal Court's Assembly of States Parties voted on Friday to remove chief prosecutor Karim Khan, marking the first time in the court's 24-year history that a sitting chief prosecutor has been removed from office. The vote took place at the United Nations headquarters in New York, with 82 of 125 member states voting in favor of removal, 13 opposing, and 15 abstaining. Khan, a 56-year-old British barrister who has led the ICC since February 2021, was accused of sexual misconduct with a female subordinate staff member. He has denied all allegations.

The removal decision followed nearly two years of investigation. An oversight body executive committee concluded in June that Khan had engaged in a sexual relationship with a complainant and attempted to prevent her from pursuing allegations. In an interview with CNN in July, the complainant—identified only as Sarah, a Malaysian lawyer—described escalating conduct including touching and groping. Khan's legal team has contested these findings, arguing the process was procedurally unfair and that an independent judicial panel found the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services investigation "did not establish misconduct or breach of duty by Mr Khan under the relevant legal framework."

Khan's removal occurs amid intense geopolitical pressure on the ICC. In 2024, Khan sought arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and then-Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes in Gaza, as well as warrants for Hamas leaders. The Trump administration responded by imposing sanctions on Khan and a dozen other ICC staff members. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a "sweeping campaign to dismantle the threat posed by the International Criminal Court to U.S. sovereignty," pressuring member states to withdraw and banning court staff from U.S. travel. Khan was barred from entering the United States and could not attend Friday's closed-door session. European states and major donor countries played a key role in securing the removal majority, according to diplomatic sources.

Khan's legal counsel, Tayab Ali, stated the prosecutor "was never given a fair opportunity to be heard" and argued the removal proceeded "while under sanctions and while the Court is under immense political pressure." His team has indicated intent to challenge the decision through available legal mechanisms. The decision has intensified debate over whether the removal reflects legitimate accountability or geopolitical interference. Palestinian representatives countered that the vote was not a proxy decision on ICC investigations into Gaza, while Israeli officials characterized Khan's removal as exposing what they describe as politically motivated warrants.

The ICC's two deputy prosecutors—Nazhat Shameen Khan and Mame Mandiaye Niang—will lead the office pending election of a new chief prosecutor, expected no earlier than 2027. Khan's removal will not affect existing arrest warrants, which can only be withdrawn by ICC judges. Hours after the vote, Venezuela announced its withdrawal from the court, citing demonstrated geographical bias in ICC investigations concentrated on African and Latin American countries.