ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan dismissed over sexual misconduct allegations
The International Criminal Court's member states voted to remove chief prosecutor Karim Khan following sexual misconduct allegations, marking the first such ouster in the court's history. The decision came after a report found he committed serious misconduct, which Khan denies.
Historic Decision
Representatives of the member states of the International Criminal Court (ICC) voted on Friday, July 24, 2025, to remove the court's chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, in a secret ballot. This is the first time a chief prosecutor has been removed from office in the ICC's history. The vote came nearly two years after allegations of sexual misconduct against a female aide first emerged.
Allegations and Investigation
British barrister Karim Khan has been accused of engaging in a sexual relationship with a female aide and attempting to prevent her from pursuing her allegations, as detailed in a series of stories by the Associated Press. Khan has steadfastly denied the allegations. He was temporarily removed from his duties in June after an executive committee report of the court's oversight body found he had committed "serious misconduct."
Voting Process and Member States' Positions
The vote was conducted by secret ballot. A motion by Sierra Leone that would have made it harder to remove Khan failed early in the session, and diplomats moved ahead with the vote several hours ahead of schedule. Several countries, including the Netherlands, France, and Norway, made their positions public ahead of the meeting. Norway's deputy foreign minister, Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik, stated, "We believe it has been proven beyond reasonable doubt that his conduct constituted sexual harassment and abuse of power." Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen had previously indicated sufficient support for removal.
Political Context
The decision comes at a time when the ICC faces significant challenges, including a U.S. campaign to "dismantle" the court. Khan was not present at the closed-door meeting as he is barred from entering the United States after being sanctioned by the Trump administration over the ICC's investigation into Israeli officials. In 2024, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for crimes against humanity related to the Gaza conflict, sparking backlash from Israel and the U.S.
