The International Criminal Court (ICC) has removed prosecutor Karim Khan from office after member states voted in favour of his dismissal following findings of serious misconduct linked to sexual abuse allegations.
The ruling comes months after the executive board of the court ruled that Khan has committed misconduct concerning the allegations against him.
Also Read | Trump’s forced labour tariffs trigger sharp global criticism from key US partners
The vote is historic as it ends the first disciplinary hearing by the international tribunal based in the Hague after an alleged misconduct was reported almost two years ago. Khan has been denying all the allegations against him and plans on appealing the ruling legally.
How did the ICC reach its decision?
According to the report, ICC member states voted on the resolution at a special session at the UN headquarters in New York. Sources quoted in The Guardian stated that out of the 125 member states in the ICC, 82 of the states voted for his dismissal. While only 13 countries voted against it, 11 states abstained from voting.
The ruling followed investigations that were made by the ICC’s executive committee which ruled that Khan has committed serious misconduct. In addition, diplomats also looked into the report written by a UN watch-dog and an assessment by a panel of judges.
Statement of the #ASP President following the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings involving Prosecutor Karim Khan #ICC pic.twitter.com/xFt09wN1xN
— Paivi Kaukoranta (@PASPKaukoranta) July 24, 2026
Khan’s legal team criticised the disciplinary process as “procedurally unfair” and said the former prosecutor would challenge both the legality and fairness of the decision through all available legal mechanisms.
What happens after Karim Khan’s removal?
Karim Khan was elected ICC prosecutor in 2021 for a nine-year term and led investigations into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
While Khan was in office, the ICC released arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In the report, these arrest warrants are valid and not impacted by Khan’s firing. However, the prosecution department, which comprises about 400 people, has been handling the aftermath of the lengthy issue.
Also Read | Pakistan suicide bombing kills 15; TTP claims attack on border checkpoint
The executive committee suspended Khan last month following their findings of misconduct related to sexual abuse accusations and referred it to member countries for the decision regarding his firing. The vote on Friday approved the referral.
FAQS
Q1. Why was Karim Khan fired from his post at the ICC?
ICC member countries decided to fire Karim Khan after serious misconduct was found in him by the court’s executive committee. Khan has refuted the accusations.
Q2. Are arrest warrants issued by the ICC during Karim Khan’s tenure still valid?
Yes. Arrest warrants issued during Karim Khan’s tenure, including those for Vladimir Putin and Benjamin Netanyahu, are valid.
