ICC Removes Chief Prosecutor Over Sexual Misconduct Allegations
The International Criminal Court has removed Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan over sexual misconduct allegations, marking the first dismissal of an ICC prosecutor in the court’s history.
THE HAGUE: The International Criminal Court (ICC) has removed Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan from office following a vote by the court’s 125 member states over allegations of sexual misconduct, making it the first time in the ICC’s history that a chief prosecutor has been dismissed.
Diplomatic sources told the Associated Press that the decision was approved by a large majority of ICC member states. Khan has consistently denied all allegations and rejected the findings of an independent investigation.
Khan had been temporarily suspended in June while the allegations were under review. An internal oversight report later concluded that he had committed “serious misconduct,” a finding the former prosecutor has strongly disputed.
According to documents reviewed by the Associated Press, Khan allegedly had a sexual relationship with the complainant and attempted to discourage her from pursuing a formal complaint. Khan has denied the claims.
The dismissal comes at a time when the ICC is facing increasing pressure from the administration of US President Donald Trump. Earlier this year, Washington imposed sanctions on Khan and several other ICC officials after the court issued arrest warrants for senior Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, over the Gaza conflict, and continued investigations into alleged crimes involving US personnel in Afghanistan.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently announced what he described as a “comprehensive campaign” against the ICC, accusing the court of threatening US sovereignty. He said Washington would encourage member states to withdraw from the ICC, impose sanctions on organizations cooperating with the court, and restrict entry to ICC personnel into the United States. Rubio also called on countries benefiting from US security partnerships to reject the court’s jurisdiction over American citizens.
Despite Khan’s removal, legal experts note that the decision will not affect arrest warrants already issued by the ICC. Those warrants remain valid unless ICC judges decide otherwise.
The removal of Karim Khan marks an unprecedented moment for the International Criminal Court, raising fresh questions about the institution’s leadership while it continues to face significant legal and political challenges on the global stage.
