ICC members vote to remove Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan: Media

Member states of the International Criminal Court (ICC) have reportedly voted to remove Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan from his post, according to media outlets citing unnamed diplomatic sources. The vote, which took place on Friday, is said to stem from accusations of sexual misconduct leveled against Khan.

News agencies Reuters and AFP provided slightly different figures for the vote's outcome. Reuters reported that 82 countries voted in favor of Khan's removal, while AFP stated it was 80 countries. The decision, according to AFP, required an absolute majority. The ICC has not yet officially confirmed the outcome of the vote.

Denmark's Ministry of Foreign Affairs had previously announced its intention to vote for Khan's removal. In a written statement to Ritzau, the ministry confirmed Denmark's agreement that "convincing evidence" existed of Khan committing a "serious misconduct in office." Several other nations, including France, Norway, and the Netherlands, had also indicated their intention to vote in favor of his dismissal.

Khan had been suspended from his duties in June pending the member states' vote. This suspension followed an 18-month investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against an employee in his office. A diplomatic source familiar with the suspension told Reuters that a committee under the ICC's governing body had determined Khan had committed serious misconduct and recommended his permanent removal. Khan's legal team has stated he denies the allegations and rejects the suspension decision.