International Criminal Court’s British chief prosecutor is ousted over sexual misconduct claims in unprecedented move
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.
- ICC removes prosecutor Karim Khan over misconduct allegations he denies
- Vote is the court’s first removal of a chief prosecutor
- Decision comes amid wider pressure on the ICC
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters of the move argue that the Court must protect staff and uphold the highest standards of conduct, particularly where allegations concern a power imbalance between a senior official and an aide. They contend that decisive action can preserve confidence in the ICC’s independence and demonstrate that no office-holder is above its ethical rules, while allowing any relevant investigation or legal process to continue fairly.
The case against
Critics argue that removing a chief prosecutor on the basis of allegations risks undermining due process, especially if the factual record has not yet been fully tested through an independent and transparent procedure. They may also warn that an unprecedented ouster could disrupt ongoing international justice work and create a precedent in which institutional or political pressure is allowed to displace a senior official before findings are established.