ICC member states vote to dismiss chief prosecutor Khan

ICC Member States Vote to Dismiss Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan

The Hague/New York, July 28, 2026 — Member states of the International Criminal Court (ICC) have voted to dismiss Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan following allegations of sexual misconduct, marking the first time in the court’s history that a sitting chief prosecutor has been removed from office.According to diplomatic sources, 82 of the ICC’s 125 member states voted in favor of Khan’s dismissal during a special session of the Assembly of States Parties held at the United Nations headquarters in New York. The vote surpassed the absolute majority required under the Rome Statute to remove a prosecutor for serious misconduct or a serious breach of duty.

Khan, who has served as the ICC’s chief prosecutor since June 2021, has consistently denied the allegations against him and has vowed to challenge the dismissal through legal channels. His legal team has argued that the proceedings were unfair and maintained that he did not engage in any misconduct.The decision follows a months-long disciplinary process triggered by allegations of an inappropriate sexual relationship with a junior ICC lawyer. An internal investigation concluded that Khan had committed serious misconduct, prompting member states to consider his removal.

Khan’s tenure was marked by several high-profile investigations and arrest warrants involving global leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. While his removal has generated widespread attention, ICC officials have emphasized that existing investigations and arrest warrants remain valid and will continue under the court’s deputy prosecutors until a successor is appointed.The Assembly of States Parties will now begin the process of selecting a new chief prosecutor, a procedure that could take several months. In the meantime, the ICC faces the challenge of restoring confidence in its leadership while continuing investigations into alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide worldwide.

The dismissal comes at a particularly sensitive time for the Hague-based court, which is facing increasing political pressure from several governments, including the United States, over its investigations into international conflicts. Observers say the court’s ability to maintain its independence and credibility will be closely scrutinized during the transition to new leadership.