ICC Member States Vote to Remove Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan

Members of the International Criminal Court (ICC) have voted to dismiss Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan over allegations of sexual misconduct. Khan, who became the court’s third chief prosecutor in 2021 and was suspended last month, was removed after 82 member states voted in favor of his dismissal.

The ICC’s oversight body concluded in June that Khan had committed a “serious breach of duty and serious misconduct” by engaging in an improper sexual relationship with a junior staff member and attempting to prevent her from pursuing her complaint. Khan has consistently denied the allegations, and his lawyer said the decision would be challenged through all available legal avenues, although it remains unclear what options are still open.

Following the vote, the ICC said it had taken note of the decision by the Assembly of States Parties, the court’s 125-member governing body, and reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a safe, inclusive and respectful workplace. The decision marks a significant development for the world’s only permanent international war crimes tribunal and could have broader implications for the court’s leadership and future operations.