British lawyer Karim Khan has been removed from his position as chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Court (ICC), following a vote by its member states. The decision, passed with 82 votes in favour, comes after allegations of sexual misconduct and a finding by the court's oversight body of a 'serious breach of duty and serious misconduct'. Mr Khan, who was suspended last month, has consistently denied all allegations against him, with his legal team indicating plans to challenge the decision through all available legal mechanisms.
The accusations against Mr Khan, who was elected as the ICC's third prosecutor in 2021, involve an alleged improper sexual relationship with a junior ICC staff member and attempts to prevent her from pursuing a complaint. The investigation into these claims was comprehensive, running from November 2024 to December 2025 and generating over 5,000 pages of evidence. This inquiry, conducted by the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), followed an earlier, closed investigation by the ICC's Independent Oversight Mechanism due to the alleged victim declining to participate.
Mr Khan, a prominent figure in international law, has been on voluntary leave since May 2025 to address these allegations. He is currently suspended from practising law in the UK, with the Bar Standards Board conducting its own inquiry. Furthermore, he was unable to attend the vote in New York due to existing sanctions imposed by the Trump administration, which bar him from entering the United States. These sanctions were a direct consequence of the ICC's investigation into alleged war crimes by Israeli officials in Gaza, for which Mr Khan had sought arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.
The removal of Mr Khan occurs during a period of significant scrutiny and pressure on the ICC. The institution has faced an 'unprecedented campaign to weaken, and in fact dismantle,' it, with the US recently launching a 'whole-of-government' initiative to dismantle the court, citing threats to American sovereignty. This campaign includes threats of visa bans, asset freezes, and diplomatic pressure. Supporters of the ICC express concern that the court could emerge from this controversy weakened, potentially impairing its ability to address grave global threats.
The ICC has acknowledged the decision by the Special Session of the Assembly of States Parties, comprising its 125 member states. In a statement, the court affirmed its commitment to 'maintaining a safe, inclusive, and respectful working environment for all personnel.' However, the full implications of Mr Khan's removal for the court's future operations and global standing remain to be seen, particularly as the legal challenges to his dismissal are expected to continue.