ICC votes to remove chief prosecutor Karim Khan over misconduct

In an unprecedented move, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has voted to remove its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, following allegations of serious misconduct. The decision came after an emergency session at the United Nations headquarters, where 125 member states cast their votes.

Khan, a British barrister, faced accusations of sexual misconduct with a female aide, claims he has consistently denied. The court's oversight body, the Assembly of States Parties, concluded that Khan had committed "serious misconduct and serious breach of duty." He had been temporarily suspended from his duties in June pending the outcome of Friday's vote.

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serious misconduct and serious breach of duty

Documents suggest Khan engaged in a sexual relationship with the aide and attempted to prevent her from pursuing her allegations. Khan, who began a nine-year term as prosecutor in 2021, disputes these findings. The process has been contentious, pitting human rights advocates and member states against each other at a time when the ICC faces challenges, including U.S. efforts to undermine its authority.

Following the vote, Venezuela announced its withdrawal from the court. The country's Minister for Foreign Affairs cited "demonstrated geographical bias" in the ICC's work, claiming it disproportionately focuses on African and Latin American countries. This move by Venezuela comes after the ICC prosecutors dropped an investigation into U.S. sanctions against the country earlier this year.

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the court's actions reflect a demonstrated geographical bias, which has disproportionately concentrated its work on African and Latin American countries, to the detriment of the global south