In brief
ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan was officially dismissed by the Court following a 82‑vote decision after an internal inquiry uncovered allegations of an improper sexual relationship with a junior staff member and attempts to suppress a complaint. Khan, elected in 2021, has denied all accusations and claims the suspension is unlawful. His removal underscores growing internal conflict within the ICC and comes amid heightened political pressure, including U.S. sanctions and a campaign to dismantle the court. The case raises concerns about the future of the ICC’s mandate and its ability to prosecute war crimes globally.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) voted 82‑to‑0 to dismiss chief prosecutor Karim Khan after an internal investigation codenamed OIOS‑2024‑15 found that Khan had engaged in an improper sexual relationship with a junior staffer and attempted to silence her complaint.
Khan, who had been elected to the post in 2021, has repeatedly denied the accusations and his lawyers describe the suspension as "unlawful, procedurally unfair and unsupported by evidence." His mandate was suspended last month and he remains on voluntary leave while the inquiry continues.
The decision, reached during a vote at the U.N. headquarters in New York, reshapes the world’s lone permanent war‑crimes tribunal. Critics warn that the court’s credibility and influence could be permanently weakened by the scandal.
Khan is barred from entering the United States because of sanctions imposed by the Trump administration over the ICC’s investigation of alleged war crimes in Gaza. His absence at the vote meant the proceedings were conducted behind closed doors, and the vote was livestreamed for public scrutiny.
The OIOS inquiry ran from November 2024 to December 2025, compiling more than 5,000 pages of evidence and testimonies. A panel of three judges reviewed the findings and concluded that the conduct amounted to serious misconduct.
The scandal comes at a time of heightened political tension. The United States, Russia and Israel – none of whom are ICC members – have launched a “whole‑of‑government” campaign to dismantle the court, threatening visa bans, asset freezes and diplomatic pressure on allies to withdraw support.
What This Means for the ICC
The dismissal exposes deep fissures within the ICC’s governance structure and fuels partisan debates about the court’s legitimacy. The scandal could embolden countries already hostile to ICC jurisdiction and slow the court’s ability to prosecute ongoing conflicts.
Over the next weeks, the ICC will work to appoint a new prosecutor while ensuring the internal oversight mechanisms retain public trust.
Map placeholderCommunity Response
Local staff at ICC headquarters have expressed concerns about morale and transparency. Witnesses report a tense atmosphere in the building, with staff visibly discussing the implications of Khan’s removal.
