ICC member states vote to remove Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan as the court pledges continuity in ongoing war crimes investigations despite leadership changes.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has formally removed Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan after member states voted in favor of his dismissal over allegations of sexual misconduct, marking one of the most significant leadership changes in the court’s history.
The decision was approved by the Assembly of States Parties, the ICC’s governing body, following months of deliberations over accusations against the British lawyer. Khan had already stepped aside from his duties in June after an internal oversight process recommended further action while the allegations were being reviewed.
Khan has consistently denied any wrongdoing. His legal team described the dismissal as politically motivated, arguing that he was denied a fair opportunity to defend himself during the proceedings. They also maintained that an independent judicial review had not found sufficient evidence to establish misconduct under the court’s legal standards, claiming the final vote disregarded those findings.
The leadership change comes during a period of heightened international attention on the ICC. In 2024, Khan drew global scrutiny after requesting arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to the Gaza conflict.
The move triggered strong opposition from Israel and the United States. The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump later imposed sanctions on Khan and several other ICC officials, adding to the political pressure surrounding the court.
Khan’s legal representatives argued that his removal occurred while he was facing international political and economic pressure, raising concerns about the perceived independence of the decision-making process.
The ICC announced that Deputy Prosecutors Nazhat Shameem Khan and Mame Mandiaye Niang will jointly oversee the Office of the Prosecutor until a new chief prosecutor is elected. The court said the selection process for a permanent successor will begin shortly, although member states are not expected to appoint a replacement before next year.
The ICC emphasized that Khan’s dismissal will not affect ongoing investigations or previously issued arrest warrants. Existing warrants, including those issued in 2024 against Israeli officials, remain legally valid because only ICC judges have the authority to revoke them.
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