ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan Removed Over Sexual Misconduct — A Historic First

The International Criminal Court has removed its chief prosecutor for the first time in the court's history, following a vote by member states to dismiss Karim Khan over allegations of serious sexual misconduct. The decision, passed by 82 states parties, marks a watershed moment for an institution that has long positioned itself as the world's foremost arbiter of accountability for grave crimes.

The Allegations and Investigation

The case against Khan centred on allegations of an inappropriate sexual relationship between the prosecutor and a junior staff member at the ICC. Khan, 56, stepped aside voluntarily in May 2025 after the allegations became public, while the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services launched a formal investigation. The ICC suspended Khan from his duties in June 2026 pending the outcome of the vote by member states.

Khan has consistently denied all wrongdoing. His legal team noted that a three-judge ICC panel had unanimously concluded in March 2026 that the factual findings did not establish misconduct or a breach of duty — a ruling that Khan's lawyers cited as evidence that the process was politically motivated. Khan vowed to challenge the lawfulness and fairness of the dismissal through all available legal mechanisms.

The Vote and Its Significance

The vote by states parties to remove Khan took place on Friday, with 82 members in favour — a majority of the 124 member states. The decision triggers the election process for a new ICC chief prosecutor. Officials said a successor is not expected to be chosen before next year, meaning the court will operate under an acting prosecutor in the interim.

The dismissal is significant not only because it is the first of its kind, but because it comes at a moment when the ICC's credibility and independence are under scrutiny. The court has recently issued arrest warrants for a range of sitting world leaders and has sought to prosecute crimes in active conflict zones, making it the target of political pressure from multiple directions.

What Happens Next

Al Jazeera reported that Mame Mandiaye Niang is expected to step in as interim chief prosecutor while member states organise a search process for a permanent successor. The election of a new ICC prosecutor is a lengthy diplomatic exercise involving nominations and ultimately a vote by the Assembly of States Parties.

• 82 member states voted to remove Karim Khan on Friday
• Allegations: inappropriate sexual relationship with junior ICC staff member
• Khan denied all wrongdoing; a 3-judge panel had not found misconduct in March
• He was suspended in June 2026 pending the vote
• First-ever removal of a sitting ICC chief prosecutor
• A successor vote not expected until next year

The development raises important questions about the court's internal governance mechanisms and whether the processes for handling misconduct allegations against senior officials are adequate. Human rights organisations and legal scholars will be watching closely as the search for a new chief prosecutor begins — a figure who will shape the direction of international criminal justice for years to come.