Embattled ICC Chief Ousted Following Sexual Misconduct Allegations
Member states of the International Criminal Court (ICC) have voted to remove Prosecutor Karim Khan from office following allegations that he sexually assaulted a female member of his staff.
The decision was made during a closed-door vote at the United Nations headquarters in New York, where 82 of the ICC’s 125 member states supported his dismissal. An absolute majority was required for the motion to pass.
Diplomatic sources said only 13 countries voted to keep Khan in office, while 15 abstained and several members did not participate in the vote.
Khan, 56, had already been suspended from his duties last month by a key ICC governing body as the allegations against him continued to be investigated.
Allegations Lead to ICC Leadership Crisis
The controversy stems from accusations made by a former female colleague, a Malaysian lawyer identified only as Sarah, who served as Khan’s direct assistant.
She recently spoke publicly about the allegations, claiming there was an escalation in inappropriate behavior that eventually led to physical assault.
Speaking to CNN, Sarah said the significant power imbalance between her and Khan made it impossible for any interaction to be considered consensual.
“There is no way for something to be consensual when you have such a power disparity,” she said, adding that Khan’s position as the court’s chief prosecutor made the situation even more difficult.
Khan has strongly denied all allegations and maintains that he has done nothing wrong.
He stepped aside from his role in May 2025 after an investigation into the claims was launched.
Lawyers Defend Khan Before Vote
Ahead of the vote, Khan’s legal team urged ICC member states not to remove him, arguing that no wrongdoing had been proven.
His lawyers also warned that dismissing a prosecutor before the investigation was concluded could undermine the independence of future ICC prosecutors.
Paivi Kaukoranta, who heads the Assembly of States Parties that oversees the ICC, described the matter as both sensitive and complex.
She called on member states to handle the issue while respecting the rights and privacy of everyone involved, as well as protecting the integrity of the court.
High-Profile Cases Draw Global Attention
Since becoming ICC prosecutor in 2021, Khan has led several internationally significant investigations.
In 2024, he requested arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes linked to the Gaza conflict.
The ICC also issued arrest warrants for several Hamas leaders, many of whom have since been killed.
Those decisions led to sanctions from the United States against Khan and several ICC judges.
Following Friday’s vote, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar welcomed Khan’s removal, describing it as overdue and criticizing the arrest warrants issued against Israeli officials.
Questions Over ICC’s Future
Legal experts say the decision marks one of the most significant moments in the ICC’s history.
Some believe removing Khan was necessary to protect the court’s credibility, while others fear it could raise concerns about the independence of future prosecutors.
The development also comes amid growing pressure from the United States, with the Trump administration recently threatening additional sanctions against the ICC and accusing the court of overstepping its authority.
The ICC is expected to begin the process of appointing new leadership as it seeks to restore confidence in the institution while continuing its work investigating international crimes.
