World Court Prosecutor Karim Khan Removed After ICC Vote Over Misconduct Allegations

The Hague/New York: The International Criminal Court (ICC) has dismissed its Chief Prosecutor, Karim Khan, after a majority of its member states voted to remove him from office over allegations of sexual misconduct. The decision marks the first time in the court's history that a sitting chief prosecutor has been removed through a vote by member nations.

The vote took place during a special session of the ICC's Assembly of States Parties at the United Nations headquarters in New York. According to reports, 82 of the court's 125 member states backed Khan's removal, while 13 voted against the motion and several others abstained. The Assembly said the decision followed an independent disciplinary investigation that concluded Khan had engaged in "serious misconduct" and committed a "serious breach of duty."

Khan has strongly denied the allegations throughout the proceedings. His legal team has argued that the disciplinary process was unfair and that he was not given an adequate opportunity to defend himself. He is expected to challenge the decision through legal avenues. The allegations, which first surfaced nearly two years ago, involved claims of inappropriate sexual conduct with a junior staff member. The accusations triggered multiple internal reviews before an independent investigation was launched, ultimately leading to the unprecedented vote by member states.

Khan, a British barrister, became ICC Chief Prosecutor in 2021 and gained international prominence for overseeing several high-profile war crimes investigations. During his tenure, the court sought arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin over the Ukraine conflict and later pursued warrants related to the Gaza war, placing the ICC at the centre of intense international political debate.

Despite Khan's removal, ongoing ICC investigations and previously issued arrest warrants will remain in force. Under the court's legal framework, judges—not the chief prosecutor—have the final authority to issue or maintain arrest warrants, meaning existing cases will continue without interruption.

The ICC is now expected to begin the process of selecting a new chief prosecutor, who will inherit a portfolio of major international investigations amid growing geopolitical pressure on the court. Observers say the leadership transition will be closely watched as the tribunal seeks to restore confidence while continuing its mandate to prosecute genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.