Full Breakdown
ICC Removes Prosecutor Karim Khan Amid Sexual-Misconduct Allegations
7/25/2026, 11:12:40 AM
Removal Vote and Immediate Outcome
Member states of the International Criminal Court (ICC) voted to dismiss Karim Khan as chief prosecutor. In a special session of the Assembly of States Parties, 82 of the 125 members voted in favour of removal, 13 voted against and 11 abstained. The decision triggers the start of a new election process for a prosecutor, although a vote on a successor is not expected before the following year. The removal does not affect the arrest warrants issued in 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant; those warrants can only be withdrawn by ICC judges.
Background of Allegations and Disciplinary Process
Allegations of sexual misconduct involving a junior ICC staff member first surfaced in May 2024. The ICC’s Independent Oversight Mechanism (IOM) opened an investigation, which was later closed after the complainant declined to participate. A second referral in October 2024 transferred the matter to the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS). The OIOS inquiry ran from November 2024 to December 2025, producing more than 5,000 pages of evidence and testimony. Khan was suspended from his duties in May 2025 and placed on voluntary leave while contesting the allegations.
Data & Statistics
- Vote tally: 82 for removal, 13 against, 11 abstentions (out of 125 member states).
- Khan’s age: 56 years.
- Size of the prosecution division: roughly 400 staff members.
- OIOS investigation volume: over 5,000 pages of evidence.
- Prior sanctions: the United States imposed visa bans and asset freezes on Khan and a dozen other ICC officials after the 2024 arrest-warrant decisions.
Official Statements & Responses
The United States, which is not a party to the ICC, reiterated its “whole-of-government” campaign to dismantle the court, describing the ICC as a threat to American sovereignty and promising continued visa bans and asset freezes.
Criticism & Opposition
Legal analysts and some ICC staff have criticised the handling of the investigation. Critics argue that the IOM’s initial inquiry was mishandled, undermining confidence in the oversight mechanism. These dissenting views highlight concerns that the disciplinary process may have been influenced by political pressures surrounding Khan’s 2024 decisions to seek arrest warrants against high-profile leaders such as Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Impact on ICC Operations
Despite the leadership change, the court’s ongoing cases remain unaffected. The prosecution division, now overseen by Khan’s two deputies, continues investigations into war-crimes in Gaza, Afghanistan and other conflicts. Observers warn that the scandal, combined with intensified U.S. hostility, could weaken the ICC’s capacity to address the “gravest global threats.” Nevertheless, the court’s judges retain authority over existing warrants, and the institution’s legal framework remains intact.
What’s Next
The Assembly of States Parties will convene to elect a new prosecutor, a process expected to conclude sometime next year. In the interim, the two deputy prosecutors will manage the office’s workload while the ICC navigates ongoing external pressures and internal reforms.
Verbatim Quotes
- “My complaint was because of what happened to me, not for any other reason.” — CNN’s Christiane Amanpour. She
