Members of the International Criminal Court voted to dismiss chief prosecutor Karim Khan following allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of authority. The Assembly of States Parties, comprising 125 member nations, passed the removal decision with 82 votes in favor.
Khan, a British lawyer who became the ICC’s third prosecutor in 2021, was suspended last month pending the outcome of investigations. The court’s oversight body concluded in June that he had engaged in an improper sexual relationship with a junior staff member and attempted to obstruct her complaint process. Khan has consistently denied the allegations and indicated through his legal representatives that he would pursue all available legal remedies to challenge the removal.
The dismissal culminates a prolonged investigative process marked by procedural complications. Allegations emerged in May 2024 when a third party reported misconduct to the ICC. An initial investigation by the court’s Independent Oversight Mechanism was closed after the alleged victim declined to participate, drawing criticism regarding case handling. A second referral came in October 2024, leading to a comprehensive investigation by the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services that examined broader claims of sexual misconduct and misuse of authority. This inquiry, conducted from November 2024 through December 2025, produced over 5,000 pages of evidence and testimony before being reviewed by a three-judge panel.
The prosecution’s removal occurs amid significant external pressure on the court. Khan faced sanctions from the Trump administration after seeking arrest warrants for Israeli officials in connection with the Gaza conflict. The United States, not an ICC member, has launched what it describes as a “whole-of-government” campaign to weaken the institution, threatening visa restrictions, asset freezes, and diplomatic pressure on allied nations regarding the court’s jurisdiction.
Observers anticipate the controversy will extend beyond Khan’s removal, with concerns that the proceedings may weaken the court’s institutional credibility during a period of heightened geopolitical tension surrounding its operations and independence.
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