Karim Khan ousted as ICC prosecutor after misconduct probe

The International Criminal Court's member states voted Friday to remove prosecutor Karim Khan, the first time a chief prosecutor has been ousted, after a disciplinary panel found he committed serious misconduct related to sexual abuse allegations. The confidential ballot at a special meeting in New York saw 82 of the court's 125 member states vote in favor of his removal, with 13 against and 11 abstentions. The vote concludes a drawn-out disciplinary process that began when a female staff member accused Khan of coercive and non-consensual sexual behavior over an extended period.

Historic Vote Concludes Lengthy Probe

The disciplinary process included a fact-finding report by a UN watchdog and a legal analysis by a panel of ICC judges. Last month, the executive committee of the court's governing body suspended Khan after concluding he had committed serious misconduct, referring the matter to member states for a final decision on removal. Khan's lawyers have criticized the process as procedurally unfair and vowed to "challenge the lawfulness and fairness of the decision through all available legal mechanisms."

Allegations and Denials

The allegations against Khan were first made public in 2024 by a woman who worked for him at the ICC. She accused him of coercive and non-consensual sexual behavior over an extended period. Khan has repeatedly denied all allegations. His representatives suggested the claims might be part of a plot to discredit him following his 2024 decision to seek arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his then defense minister. However, the ICC governing body found no evidence to support claims that the woman was "being used by third parties, including intelligence agencies." Last week, the staffer told CNN's Christiane Amanpour: "My complaint was because of what happened to me, not for any other reason." Danya Chaikel of the International Federation for Human Rights said the vote was a testament to the complainant's "extraordinary courage in coming forward, despite everything she risked in doing so." A second woman also came forward to the Guardian last year, accusing Khan of mistreating her while she worked as an intern earlier in his career. Khan's lawyers have said he categorically denies having "harassed or mistreated any individual."

Fallout for the ICC

Khan, a prominent British barrister, was elected in 2021 to a nine-year term leading the prosecution division, which investigates and prosecutes individuals accused of atrocities. During his tenure, he sought arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Netanyahu, raising the ICC's profile but also drawing criticism from major powers. Those warrants, issued by judges, remain unaffected by his removal. However, the court's prosecution division, with about 400 staff, has been left bruised by the protracted scandal. The removal process has been a damaging episode for the institution, which relies on member state support for its legitimacy.

What Comes Next

Khan is expected to challenge his removal through legal avenues, including potentially the ICC's own appeals mechanism. In the interim, the court's governing body will need to appoint a temporary prosecutor and begin the process of electing a permanent successor. The scandal has underscored ongoing challenges for the ICC, including maintaining credibility amid internal controversies while pursuing high-profile cases against powerful individuals. The outcome of Khan's challenge and the selection of a new prosecutor will be closely watched by human rights groups and member states alike.