THE HAGUE (Realist English). On July 24, the Assembly of States Parties to the International Criminal Court (ICC) voted by a majority to remove Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan from office.
This is the first time in the court’s history that its top official has been dismissed. The decision was made following a closed vote at UN headquarters in New York, in which 82 of the 125 member states voted for Khan’s removal. Thirteen countries voted against, and 15 abstained.
Charges: Sexual Harassment and “Serious Breach of Duty”
The grounds for the removal were allegations of sexual harassment that had dogged Khan for the past two years.
According to the investigation by the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services, incidents classified as non‑consensual sexual contact occurred between March 2023 and April 2024 during official trips and in the prosecutor’s office premises. The allegations were brought by a 39‑year‑old Malaysian court employee who has worked at the ICC since 2017.
In an interview with CNN, she said she had been subjected to pressure and attempts to coerce her into a sexual relationship by her direct supervisor, noting: “It is impossible to speak of consent when there is such an imbalance of power.”
Khan categorically denies all charges, calling them politically motivated. His lawyers have already said they intend to challenge the dismissal through all available legal channels.
Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu: Remain in Force
Karim Khan, who took office as ICC chief prosecutor in 2021, made his mark on the court’s history by seeking arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant in November 2024. Earlier, in March 2023, he requested and obtained an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
It is important to note that Khan’s dismissal does not automatically cancel the warrants he issued. As experts explain, only ICC judges have the authority to revoke them. Acting Chief Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan, who is considered the leading candidate for the permanent post, has already stated her intention to continue work on the Palestine case.
Israel’s Reaction: “A Political Witch Hunt”
Israeli officials welcomed the decision. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar called the warrants “politicised and outrageous,” saying Khan had tried to use them to divert attention from his own misconduct.
Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, said: “Khan thought his political witch hunt against Israel and the outrageous arrest warrants would distract from the serious allegations of sexual harassment. He was wrong.”
US Pressure on the ICC
The dismissal decision came amid increasing pressure on the ICC from the Trump administration. Earlier, the US had imposed sanctions on 11 ICC judges and prosecutors, including Khan himself, over the court’s investigation into Israel.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during a visit to the Philippines, called some ICC officials “lunatics” and said the US was launching a “wide‑scale campaign to eliminate the threat posed by the International Criminal Court.”
Khan’s dismissal triggers the process of electing a new chief prosecutor. This process is expected to take considerable time: according to experts, a new prosecutor is unlikely to be confirmed before 2027. Meanwhile, Khan intends to appeal the decision, which could lead to protracted legal proceedings.
