ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan Removed Over Sexual Misconduct Allegations/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ International Criminal Court member states voted to remove chief prosecutor Karim Khan following sexual misconduct allegations involving a female aide, four diplomats told the Associated Press. An oversight report found that Khan committed “serious misconduct,” but he denies both the allegations and the report’s conclusions. His removal—the first of an ICC chief prosecutor—does not immediately affect arrest warrants for Israeli leaders Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant.
Quick Look
- Representatives of the ICC’s 125 member states voted to remove Karim Khan.
- It was the first removal of a chief prosecutor in the court’s history.
- Khan was accused of sexual misconduct involving a female aide.
- He has consistently denied the allegations.
- An oversight report found he committed “serious misconduct.”
- Documents reviewed by AP said Khan had a sexual relationship with the woman.
- The documents also alleged that he tried to prevent her from pursuing her claims.
- Khan disputes those findings.
- He had been temporarily removed from his duties since June.
- A Sierra Leone motion that would have made removal more difficult failed.
- The vote comes during a U.S. campaign against the ICC.
- Trump’s administration sanctioned Khan and other court officials.
- His departure does not cancel the warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant.
- Only ICC judges can withdraw those warrants.
Deep Look
ICC Member States Remove Karim Khan
UNITED NATIONS — Representatives of the International Criminal Court’s member states voted Friday to remove chief prosecutor Karim Khan, four diplomats told the Associated Press.
The decision followed nearly two years of controversy over sexual misconduct allegations involving a female aide.
Khan, a 56-year-old British barrister, has consistently denied wrongdoing.
The removal marks the first time in the court’s history that its chief prosecutor has been forced from office.
Large Majority Votes for Removal
A large majority of the ICC’s 125 member states supported Khan’s removal, according to diplomats familiar with the proceedings.
The vote occurred several hours earlier than initially expected.
A proposal from Sierra Leone that would have made it more difficult to remove Khan failed early in the session, allowing member states to proceed quickly to a final vote.
The diplomats were not identified because they were discussing the proceedings with the AP.
Oversight Report Finds “Serious Misconduct”
Khan had been temporarily removed from his responsibilities in June while awaiting the member-state vote.
An executive committee from the ICC’s oversight body concluded that he had committed “serious misconduct.”
Documents reviewed by the AP said Khan engaged in a sexual relationship with the female aide and attempted to discourage her from pursuing allegations against him.
Khan rejects those conclusions.
The allegations and oversight findings are contested claims, and the supplied report does not state that Khan has been criminally charged or convicted.
Allegations Divided ICC Community
The investigation and removal process divided human-rights advocates, ICC staff and member governments.
The controversy unfolded while the court faced pressure over its highest-profile investigations and arrest warrants.
The ICC was established to prosecute individuals accused of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and aggression when national systems are unable or unwilling to act.
US Launches Campaign Against ICC
The vote came as the United States intensified efforts to weaken the court.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced what he called a “sweeping campaign to dismantle the threat posed by the International Criminal Court to U.S. sovereignty.”
Rubio said the Trump administration would encourage member countries to leave the institution, sanction organizations working with it and prevent ICC employees from entering the United States.
He also said countries that “enjoy the benefits of the U.S. security umbrella” would be asked to reject ICC jurisdiction over American citizens.
Trump Administration Sanctions ICC Officials
The Trump administration imposed sanctions on Khan and approximately a dozen other court officials.
The measures were retaliation for ICC arrest warrants involving senior Israeli officials and investigations concerning American personnel in Afghanistan.
The United States is not an ICC member and rejects the court’s jurisdiction over U.S. citizens.
Israel is also not a member of the court.
Israel Links Khan Allegations to Gaza Warrants
Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, accused Khan of believing that his actions against Israeli leaders would divert attention from the misconduct allegations.
“Karim Khan believed that by launching a political witch hunt against Israel and issuing a politically motivated arrest warrant against Prime Minister Netanyahu, the world would ignore the grave sexual misconduct allegations against him. He was wrong,” Danon said.
Khan has denied that his decisions concerning Israel were politically motivated.
Experts See Political Issues Surrounding Case
The misconduct allegations became intertwined with debate over the ICC’s investigation into the Gaza war.
“Political considerations have been folded into this, especially as it is the first time a prosecutor has pursued warrants against a Western ally,” said Iva Vukusic, a researcher at Utrecht University who followed the removal process.
The political controversy does not determine the legal validity of the court’s arrest warrants.
Netanyahu and Gallant Warrants Remain Active
Khan’s removal will not immediately affect the 2024 arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
The ICC accused the two Israeli officials of crimes against humanity connected to the Gaza war. Both reject the court’s allegations and Israel disputes its jurisdiction.
The warrants remain judicial orders and cannot be withdrawn by the prosecutor’s office alone.
Only ICC judges have authority to revoke them.
Court Faces Leadership and Political Challenges
Khan’s departure leaves the court confronting both a leadership transition and international pressure.
Member states will have to determine who manages the prosecutor’s office and how a permanent successor will be selected.
At the same time, the ICC must continue its investigations while responding to American sanctions and efforts to persuade countries to withdraw their support.
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