In brief
Members of the International Criminal Court voted 82‑to‑1 to dismiss Karim Khan as principal prosecutor after allegations of a sexual relationship with a junior staff member and attempts to silence her complaint. Khan, who had been suspended since May 2025, denied the accusations and plans to challenge the ruling legally. The vote reflects growing tension inside the court and outside pressures, notably from the United States, which has imposed sanctions on Khan for his pursuit of war‑crime warrants against Israeli officials. The incident highlights challenges the ICC faces in maintaining credibility while confronting political interference and calls into question the future of the world’s sole permanent war‑crimes tribunal.
ICC votes to remove chief prosecutor Karim Khan over alleged sexual misconduct.
ICC members in New York cast a decisive vote 82‑to‑1 to strip Khan of his role as chief prosecutor, following an investigation that found he had engaged in an improper sexual relationship with a junior staffer and tried to block her complaint. Khan, who has been on voluntary leave since May 2025, denies the allegations and his lawyer indicates plans to appeal the decision through all available legal mechanisms.
The vote comes after a two‑year probe that generated over 5,000 pages of testimony, started by the court’s Independent Oversight Mechanism, then taken over by the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services. The findings identified a “serious breach of duty” and “serious misconduct” by Khan.
Khan was barred from entering the United States under sanctions that the Trump administration imposed over the ICC’s investigation into alleged war crimes linked to Gaza. His suspension in the UK was confirmed after the Bar Standards Board imposed an interim ban during its own inquiry.
The incident not only shakes the ICC’s leadership but also energises wider political battles. The United States has launched a “whole‑of‑government” campaign to dismantle the ICC, citing sovereignty concerns and threatening visa bans, asset freezes, and diplomatic pressure on allies.
While the court welcomes the decision, it stresses that its priority is a safe, respectful working environment for all personnel. Critics warn that the controversy could leave the ICC weakened and less able to hold leaders accountable for grave crimes.
Sources: Reuters; ICC Statements; United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services. © 2026 PulseWire News.
