ICC Removes Chief Prosecutor Khan in Historic Move

The ICC has removed chief prosecutor Karim Khan, marking the first such removal in ICC history after findings of serious misconduct and a serious breach of duty related to sexual misconduct allegations. The decision was supported by 82 of 125 member states at a United Nations meeting in New York, after a lengthy disciplinary process and ongoing investigations Khan denies wrongdoing. The move occurs amid a broader U.S. effort to constrain the ICC, including sanctions on staff and pressure on states to rethink cooperation. Existing ICC investigations and arrest warrants remain in place, and member states are beginning the process of selecting a successor. Critics argue the process undermined due process and the court’s credibility, while supporters say it demonstrates accountability for leadership. The development leaves the ICC to navigate a difficult political environment while maintaining its ongoing cases.