ICC prosecutor Karim Khan ousted amid sexual misconduct allegations

Sun Sep 06 2026 06:28:46 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan removed after 82‑vote vote, amid allegations of sexual misconduct and broader scrutiny of the court.

Members of the International Criminal Court voted 82–0 to remove Karim Khan from office after an investigation found an alleged improper sexual relationship with staff and a failure to allow a victim to report the misconduct. Khan was elected in 2021 and had already been on voluntary leave since May 2025 while the investigation progressed. The case has intensified political pressure on the ICC, including U.S. sanctions and calls for the court’s dismantlement. The judge panel’s decision could alter the ICC’s future role in prosecuting war crimes and may be a turning point for its credibility. The fallout also raises questions about the procedure’s fairness and the court’s governance structures.

ICC prosecutor Karim Khan ousted amid sexual misconduct allegations

Karim Khan interviewed — Karim Khan denies all allegations against him

Members of the International Criminal Court (ICC) voted unanimously with 82 votes in favour to dismiss Karim Khan as chief prosecutor after an extensive investigation confirmed a “serious breach of duty” and “serious misconduct” involving an improper sexual relationship with a junior staff member and attempts to silence her complaint.

Khan, a British lawyer, had been elected ICC’s third prosecutor in 2021. He entered voluntary leave in May 2025 to face the allegations and was suspended from practising law in the UK after the Bar Standards Board imposed an interim ban while its inquiry proceeded.

The investigation ran from November 2024 to December 2025, producing more than 5,000 pages of evidence. A UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) review found Khan’s conduct amounted to serious misconduct. A panel of three judges subsequently reviewed the findings and confirmed the severity, leading to the ICC’s decisive action.

The controversy unfolds against a backdrop of heightened diplomatic tensions. The United States, which does not participate in the ICC, imposed sanctions on Khan after he sought arrest warrants for Israeli leaders over alleged war crimes. Washington’s “whole‑of‑government” campaign aims to dismantle the ICC, threatening visa bans, asset freezes and diplomatic pressure on allies.

While Khan’s removal clears his immediate position, critics warn that the process may leave the ICC weakened and may inspire further attempts to undermine the court’s authority. The case exemplifies the challenges the ICC faces in maintaining credibility, procedural fairness, and political independence.