ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan dismissed for first time in court's history

In an unprecedented move, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has dismissed its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, marking the first such removal in the court's history. The decision by the 125 member states of the Rome Statute, made through a secret ballot, saw 82 votes in favor of Khan's dismissal. The charges against Khan, a British national, centered on allegations of sexual misconduct. The Assembly of States Parties concluded that he had committed a "serious violation and a serious breach of duty." The ICC stated that the proceedings called for respect for the privacy and dignity of all involved. Khan, who took office in 2021, has vehemently denied all allegations and refused to resign. He was suspended in June while an investigation proceeded. Khan's term as prosecutor was marked by high-profile investigations that placed the ICC at the center of international political disputes. Under his leadership, the court issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin in connection with alleged war crimes in Ukraine. More recently, his office sought arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the conflict in Gaza. An investigation by a UN commission reportedly found evidence that Khan had a sexual encounter with a staff member without her consent. However, three judges reviewing the case also highlighted shortcomings in the investigation, questioning the credibility of key witnesses. Khan's legal team argued that the report failed to prove sexual misconduct or a breach of duty, calling the member states' decision unfounded. The woman accusing Khan has reiterated her claims in an interview with CNN. Until a new chief prosecutor is elected, Khan's deputies will continue to lead the Office of the Prosecutor in accordance with ICC rules.