ICC Chief Prosecutor Dismissed Over Misconduct Allegations

Karim Khan removed from ICC as chief prosecutor due to sexual misconduct allegations. Court faces scrutiny amid political tensions.

Members of the International Criminal Court (ICC) voted to dismiss Karim Khan from his role as chief prosecutor following allegations of sexual misconduct. Khan, who has held the position since 2021, was suspended last month as investigations began into his behavior.

The decision to remove Khan was made with 82 votes in favor, a clear indication of the court’s stance on the matter. An oversight body determined in June that he had committed a “serious breach of duty and serious misconduct” involving an improper sexual relationship with a junior staff member and attempting to influence her decision to pursue her complaint.

Khan has denied all allegations, with his legal team describing the suspension as “unlawful, procedurally unfair and unsupported by evidence.” His removal could signal significant consequences for the ICC, which is facing intense scrutiny and potential instability amidst an ongoing push to weaken its authority.

Since May 2025, Khan has been on voluntary leave to contest the allegations and is currently barred from practicing law in the UK. This suspension stems from an interim ban imposed by the Bar Standards Board while it conducts its own inquiry.

Khan’s absence from the recent vote, held at the United Nations headquarters in New York, is due to sanctions that prevent him from entering the United States. These sanctions were enacted in response to the ICC’s investigation into alleged war crimes committed by Israeli officials in Gaza.

The wave of allegations began in May 2024 when a third party reported claims of misconduct by Khan. Although the ICC’s Independent Oversight Mechanism assessed the allegations, the case was initially closed after the purported victim chose not to participate further in the investigation.

Despite a second referral in October 2024 and a broader inquiry conducted by the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), which compiled over 5,000 pages of evidence, the process has faced criticism for perceived mishandling and lack of transparency.

Political dynamics further complicate the situation. The ICC is under pressure from international powers, particularly the United States, which has expressed hostility toward the court’s activities, especially after Khan pursued arrest warrants for high-ranking Israeli officials.

This dismissal does not appear to resolve the controversy surrounding Khan or the ICC. The ongoing scrutiny and political ramifications may ultimately shape the future of the purely war-crimes tribunal amid increasing challenges to its legitimacy and function.