ICC member states voted to remove Karim Khan, the court’s British chief prosecutor, following allegations of sexual misconduct involving a female aide, which he has consistently denied. The decision is unprecedented in the court’s history and comes while it faces intense political pressure and challenges to its authority.

The court’s 125 member states reportedly backed his removal by a large majority, with 82 votes in favour, 13 against and 15 abstentions. Khan, who took office in 2021 for a nine-year term, had already been suspended and barred from practising as a barrister in England and Wales while disciplinary processes were under way.