Karim Khan Removed As ICC Prosecutor Over Sexual Misconduct Allegations

International Criminal Court (ICC) member states have voted to remove Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan from his position following allegations of sexual misconduct, marking the first time in the court’s history that a sitting prosecutor has been removed from office. The decision was taken by a large majority of representatives from the ICC’s 125 member states, nearly two years after allegations involving a female aide were first reported. Khan has consistently denied the accusations and disputed the findings against him.

The 56-year-old British barrister had been temporarily suspended from his duties in June while the ICC’s oversight mechanism reviewed the allegations. According to documents reviewed by the Associated Press, an executive committee of the court’s oversight body found that Khan had engaged in a sexual relationship with the woman and attempted to prevent her from pursuing her claims. Khan has rejected those conclusions and maintained that the allegations are unfounded.

During the voting process, a proposal introduced by Sierra Leone that would have made Khan’s removal more difficult failed to gain support. Diplomats said the member states then moved ahead with the vote earlier than expected, resulting in Khan’s removal. The decision follows a lengthy internal process that created divisions among ICC staff, human rights advocates, and member countries over how the court should address misconduct allegations involving its highest-ranking official.

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Khan’s removal comes at a challenging time for the ICC, which is already facing political pressure and international criticism over its investigations and legal actions. The United States has launched a campaign against the court, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying Washington intends to challenge what it considers threats to US sovereignty. The Trump administration had previously imposed sanctions on Khan and other ICC officials following the court’s actions involving Israeli leaders and investigations related to Afghanistan.

The allegations against Khan have also become linked with the ICC’s broader work, particularly its investigation into the war in Gaza. Analysts said political factors have become part of the debate surrounding the prosecutor’s position, especially after the ICC issued arrest warrants in 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged crimes against humanity. Israeli officials criticized Khan, arguing that the misconduct allegations had been overshadowed by political disputes surrounding the court’s decisions.

Despite Khan’s removal, the ICC arrest warrants issued against Netanyahu and Gallant will remain unchanged for now. Under ICC rules, only judges can withdraw such warrants, meaning the legal proceedings connected to those cases will continue independently. The court is now expected to begin the process of selecting a new chief prosecutor as it attempts to address internal challenges and maintain its role in investigating serious international crimes.

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