ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan Removed Over Misconduct Allegations

Karim Khan, the former chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), has been dismissed from his position following a vote by member states. Khan had recently been in the international spotlight for his role in seeking arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and then-Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza conflict.

The decision to remove Khan came after a special meeting of ICC member states at the UN headquarters in New York. A court oversight body had determined in June that Khan engaged in "serious misconduct" and a "significant breach of duty." These findings stemmed from an investigation into allegations of an improper relationship with a female subordinate and attempts to obstruct her complaint.

Khan, who assumed the role of ICC chief prosecutor in 2021, has vehemently denied all accusations. His legal team has stated that he will challenge the dismissal through all available legal avenues. The ICC, in a statement, acknowledged the member states' decision and reiterated its commitment to maintaining a safe, inclusive, and respectful work environment.

The investigation into Khan's conduct began in 2024 after a complaint was filed. The process, involving extensive testimony and evidence gathering over more than a year, was conducted by the United Nations before being submitted for ICC review. Khan had been on leave from his duties since May 2024 pending the investigation. His controversial pursuit of arrest warrants against Israeli leaders had previously drawn strong criticism from the U.S. and Israel, leading to sanctions from the Trump administration that barred him from entering the United States.