Members of the International Criminal Court (ICC) have voted to dismiss Karim Khan as chief prosecutor for alleged sexual misconduct. The decision, made on July 24, 2026, received 82 votes in favour, removing Khan from his position. He had been suspended last month following initial findings.
The court's oversight body determined in June that Khan committed a "serious breach of duty and serious misconduct." This involved an improper sexual relationship with a junior ICC staff member and subsequent attempts to prevent her from pursuing her complaint. Khan, who was elected as the ICC's third prosecutor in 2021, has consistently denied these allegations.
This removal goes beyond the fate of a single individual, potentially reshaping the world's only permanent war-crimes tribunal. The misconduct investigation has intensified internal divisions and placed the institution under significant scrutiny. Supporters of the ICC fear that the court will emerge weakened, less capable of addressing severe global threats.
A second referral concerning Khan's conduct was made in October 2024. This led to a broader investigation by the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) into allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of authority. The OIOS inquiry, which ran from November 2024 to December 2025, produced more than 5,000 pages of evidence and testimony. A panel of three judges subsequently reviewed these findings to determine the severity of Khan's actions.
The allegations against Khan have surfaced during a period of exceptional pressure on the ICC, coinciding with wider political tensions. The United States imposed sanctions on Khan after he sought arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. These warrants were related to alleged crimes linked to the war in Gaza, further complicating the court's international standing.
Washington's stance towards the ICC has grown increasingly hostile in recent years. Earlier this month, the US launched a new "whole-of-government" campaign aimed at dismantling the ICC, which it views as a threat to American sovereignty. This campaign includes promises of visa bans, asset freezes, and diplomatic pressure on allies to withdraw from the court or reject its jurisdiction over their nationals. The United States, Russia, and Israel are not members of the ICC, though the court can exercise jurisdiction over crimes committed by their nationals on the territory of ICC member states.
The dismissal of a chief prosecutor under such circumstances raises critical questions about the ICC's internal governance and its ability to maintain credibility. The ongoing external pressures, particularly from powerful nations, will likely influence the court's future operations and its capacity to pursue justice for international crimes. The appointment of a new prosecutor will be closely watched, as will any reforms to prevent similar incidents and reinforce the court's independence.