International Criminal Court member states dismiss chief prosecutor Karim Khan following serious sexual misconduct allegations

The International Criminal Court (ICC) member states voted on Friday to remove chief prosecutor Karim Khan from office following allegations of serious sexual misconduct. In a secret ballot at the UN headquarters in New York, 82 of the court’s 125 member states voted in favor of the dismissal, concluding that Khan committed a serious breach of duty. The decision follows a protracted disciplinary process regarding claims by a junior staffer, Sarah, who accused Khan of coercive and non-consensual sexual behavior. While Khan has consistently denied the allegations, his legal team argued that the removal process was procedurally unfair and lacked sufficient evidence. The ouster occurs as the ICC faces increased scrutiny from the United States. The administration announced a campaign to dismantle the court, viewing it as a threat to U.S. sovereignty. Israel also welcomed the news, suggesting that Khan’s removal ends a "political witch hunt" regarding his arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The court will now move to appoint a new prosecutor to lead its prosecution division.

Sources