The International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, was dismissed over sexual misconduct allegations, marking a historic first for the court amid ongoing political tensions surrounding his arrest warrants for Israeli leaders.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has removed its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, following a vote by member states over allegations of sexual misconduct. This unprecedented dismissal marks the first time in the court’s history that a sitting chief prosecutor has been ousted from office.
Khan’s removal comes in the wake of a vote by the Assembly of States Parties, the ICC’s governing body, which consists of 125 member states. The decision was reached after disciplinary proceedings tied to allegations involving a junior female staffer in Khan’s office. Khan has denied any wrongdoing.
The controversy surrounding Khan intensified following his issuance of arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in connection with Israel’s military actions in Gaza. These warrants, issued in November 2024, drew sharp criticism from both Israel and the United States, both of which are not members of the ICC.
The arrest warrants became a focal point in New York politics, particularly after New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani threatened to arrest Netanyahu should he visit the city. Mamdani later acknowledged that New York lacks the authority to enforce the warrant and called on the federal government to intervene.
The ICC, headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, was established under the Rome Statute to prosecute individuals accused of serious crimes, including genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
The allegations against Khan have sparked a significant crisis for the court. According to reports, 82 of the ICC’s 125 member states voted in favor of his removal, surpassing the absolute majority required for such a decision. Khan had previously stepped aside in May 2025 while a United Nations oversight investigation was conducted and was suspended in June 2026 pending the final vote.
The oversight body of the ICC determined that Khan had committed “serious misconduct,” with the case involving allegations from a female aide who claimed Khan engaged in nonconsensual sexual conduct. The woman, identified only as Sarah, spoke publicly in a CNN interview, stating, “There is no way for something to be consensual when you have such a power disparity.”
Khan’s legal team has vehemently denied the allegations, arguing that the removal process was legally flawed and lacked sufficient evidence. Tayab Ali, a partner at Bindmans LLP and head of Khan’s legal team, stated that the Assembly of States Parties ignored due process concerns raised by over 180 non-governmental organizations and senior international lawyers.
Ali emphasized that the decision was not supported by any lawful or properly reasoned findings of misconduct. He noted that the U.N. Office of Internal Oversight Services had investigated the allegations for more than a year without establishing any misconduct on Khan’s part. A three-judge panel had previously determined that the factual findings made by the oversight body did not indicate any breach of duty by Khan.
Ali further criticized the Assembly of States Parties for conducting a politically motivated and procedurally unfair process, claiming that Khan and his legal team were not permitted to make formal submissions before the vote. He asserted that Khan would challenge the legality and fairness of the decision through all available legal avenues.
In response to Khan’s removal, Israeli officials expressed concerns about the implications for the ICC’s legitimacy. Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon stated that Khan’s actions were an attempt to divert attention from serious allegations against him by launching a “political witch hunt” against Israel.
Danon remarked, “He sought to scapegoat Israel in an attempt to divert attention from his own misconduct. The international community rejected that cynical attempt today.” He added that the attacks against Israel, which were intended to distract from Khan’s conduct, ultimately did not save him.
Anne Bayefsky, president of Human Rights Voices and director of the Touro Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust, commented that Khan’s fall should not be viewed as an isolated incident. She noted that Khan had unexpectedly requested arrest warrants for Israeli leaders shortly after allegations of his misconduct were revealed. Bayefsky claimed that Khan’s actions have damaged the ICC’s reputation and highlighted the need for reform within the institution.
The ICC has not indicated whether Khan’s removal will affect the warrants issued against Netanyahu and Gallant, which were approved by judges following Khan’s request. Requests for comment sent to Khan’s office went unanswered by the time of publication.
As the ICC navigates this unprecedented situation, the implications of Khan’s dismissal and the surrounding allegations continue to unfold, raising questions about the court’s future and its role in international justice.
According to Reuters, the fallout from Khan’s removal is likely to reverberate through the ICC and its operations for some time.