ICC Member States Remove Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan Over Sexual Misconduct Allegations

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has voted to remove its Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan from office following sexual misconduct allegations, marking the first time in the court's history that a sitting chief prosecutor has been dismissed. The decision was taken by a large majority of the ICC's 125 member states during a special session at the United Nations in New York.

British barrister Karim Khan, 56, had been accused of sexual misconduct involving a female aide, allegations first reported nearly two years ago. Khan has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has argued that the disciplinary process was unfair.

The vote followed an investigation by the ICC's oversight body, whose executive committee concluded that Khan had committed "serious misconduct" and a "serious breach of duty." According to documents cited by multiple media outlets, investigators found that Khan engaged in an inappropriate sexual relationship with a subordinate and attempted to discourage her from pursuing the allegations. Khan disputes those findings.

Diplomatic sources said 82 member states voted in favour of removing Khan, while 13 opposed the motion and 15 abstained, comfortably exceeding the required majority. Before the vote, countries including the Netherlands, France and Norway publicly announced they would support his dismissal. Norway's Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik said the evidence showed Khan's conduct amounted to "sexual harassment and abuse of power."

Khan had already been placed on temporary leave in June pending the outcome of the vote. Despite his removal, the ICC said ongoing investigations and existing arrest warrants, including high-profile cases related to Ukraine and Gaza, will continue uninterrupted as the court begins the process of appointing a new chief prosecutor.