ICC member states have voted to dismiss Prosecutor Karim Khan over misconduct allegations, ending his tenure after years marked by high-profile war crimes investigations and the controversial Netanyahu arrest warrant request.
WEBDESK – ABDUL REHMAN SHAHEER – MEDIABITES NEWS
ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan Removed Following Misconduct Vote
Member States Vote to Dismiss Prosecutor
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has dismissed its Chief Prosecutor, Karim Khan, after member states voted in favor of his removal during a meeting at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The decision followed allegations of sexual misconduct, which Khan has consistently denied. His dismissal formally begins the process of selecting a new ICC prosecutor.
A Tenure Marked by High-Profile Cases
Karim Khan became one of the world’s most prominent international prosecutors in May 2024 when he announced he was seeking arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to the conflict in Gaza. The move drew global attention and placed the ICC at the center of an international political dispute, prompting strong criticism from Israel, the United States, and several other countries.
During his tenure, Khan also played a leading role in investigations involving Ukraine, Sudan, Libya, and the occupied Palestinian territories. Under his leadership, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2023 over alleged war crimes related to the conflict in Ukraine.
Misconduct Allegations and Investigation
Pressure on Khan intensified after a junior lawyer accused him of sexual misconduct in late 2024. Although Khan rejected the allegations and maintained his innocence, he stepped aside from his duties in May 2025, saying the intense media attention had affected his ability to perform his responsibilities. An internal review later concluded that he had engaged in inappropriate conduct, leading member states to vote for his dismissal.
Khan and his legal team have argued that the allegations may have been influenced by political pressure linked to his pursuit of high-profile international cases, including the Netanyahu warrant request. However, UN investigators reportedly found no evidence supporting claims that the complainant had links to foreign intelligence agencies.
ICC Faces Leadership Transition
Karim Khan, a British lawyer of Pakistani heritage, served as ICC Prosecutor since 2021 after a career in international criminal law and UN war crimes investigations. His removal marks a significant moment for the court, which now faces the challenge of appointing a new prosecutor while continuing investigations into some of the world’s most sensitive conflicts. The leadership transition is expected to shape the ICC’s future role in international justice and accountability.
