- Karim Khan was ousted as the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor following a vote by member states amid allegations of sexual misconduct.
- The vote, which took place on Friday, saw 82 of the court's 125 member states support Khan's removal after a disciplinary process regarding allegations made by a woman who worked for him.
- The ICC's oversight body found that Khan had committed serious misconduct related to allegations of sexual abuse.
- Khan has denied the allegations, which include claims of coercive and non-consensual sexual behaviour over an extended period.
- His removal concludes a damaging episode for the ICC, nearly two years after the allegations first emerged.
- Khan, a 56-year-old barrister, was elected in 2021 to serve a nine-year mandate leading the ICC's prosecution division.
- His team claims the case is politicised due to his pursuit of an arrest warrant against Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
- Khan's accuser, identified only as Sarah, alleged that he exhibited escalating behaviour of touching and groping her.
- Khan's lawyers have criticized the disciplinary process as procedurally unfair and lacking evidence.
Karim Khan was removed from his role as prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) after a vote by member states, concluding a two-year investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct. The vote, held at the UN headquarters, saw 82 of 125 member states support his ousting.1
The allegations against Khan include claims of coercive and non-consensual sexual behavior towards a junior colleague, identified only as Sarah. She reported incidents of touching and groping, including an instance where Khan allegedly touched her intimately while she pretended to be asleep. Khan has consistently denied these allegations, labeling the process leading to his removal as unlawful and procedurally unfair.89
Khan's dismissal, based on a United Nations investigative report and recommendations from judicial experts, marks a significant moment for the ICC, which has faced increasing scrutiny. His removal is seen as a response to the pressure surrounding the court, particularly following his pursuit of an arrest warrant against Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu.7
The ICC's oversight body stated that Khan's actions constituted serious misconduct, leading to the unprecedented decision to remove him from office. His ousting will initiate the process for electing a new prosecutor, although a vote is not anticipated until next year. Despite his removal, the arrest warrants issued for Netanyahu and others remain unaffected, as only ICC judges can withdraw them.3
“The UN meeting vote saw 82 of the ICC's 125 member states remove Khan after an investigation into a female former staffer's claims; he has denied the allegations. The dismissal triggers a new election for prosecutor but does not affect existing arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant.”
The Guardian
