Assembly of States Parties votes to remove ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan amid sexual misconduct allegations and ongoing international scrutiny over Israel arrest warrants.
THE HAGUE: The Assembly of States Parties (ASP) of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has voted to remove Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan from office following allegations of sexual misconduct, bringing an abrupt end to his tenure amid heightened international controversy.
Karim Khan’s legal team confirmed the decision on Friday but argued that the move was politically motivated, insisting that the process was influenced by external pressures rather than the merits of the allegations.
ICC Member States Vote to Remove Karim Khan
The decision was taken by the Assembly of States Parties, the governing body responsible for overseeing the ICC and its officials.
While details of the vote were not immediately released, the outcome formally removes Khan from his position as the court’s chief prosecutor.
His lawyers criticised the decision, describing it as a political action and maintaining that Khan had been unfairly targeted.
Decision Comes Amid International Pressure
The vote comes as the ICC continues to face intense criticism from both the United States and Israel over its investigations into the Gaza conflict.
In 2024, Karim Khan authorised arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and then-Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The warrants drew strong condemnation from Israeli officials, while the United States also criticised the court’s actions and questioned its jurisdiction.
Sexual Misconduct Allegations
Karim Khan’s removal follows allegations of sexual misconduct that prompted scrutiny of his leadership at the international tribunal.
His legal team has rejected suggestions that the allegations justified his dismissal, arguing instead that political considerations surrounding the ICC’s investigations played a significant role in the decision.
No further details regarding the allegations or any potential legal proceedings were immediately available.
Future of the ICC
The removal of the ICC’s chief prosecutor comes at a critical time for the court as it continues investigations into conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, and other regions.
The Assembly of States Parties is expected to begin the process of selecting a new prosecutor to lead the court’s investigations and prosecutions in the coming months.
The development is likely to intensify debate over the independence of the International Criminal Court and the political pressures facing international justice institutions.
