ICC Ousts Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan After Misconduct Probe

The International Criminal Court's (ICC) Assembly of States Parties voted to remove Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan from his position on December 11, 2024. This decision follows a probe into allegations of sexual misconduct leveled against Khan. Khan has consistently denied all accusations made against him.

The vote took place during the Assembly's annual meeting in The Hague, where member states considered the findings of an independent investigation into Khan's conduct. The specific details of the allegations and the investigation's conclusions have not been fully disclosed publicly, but the outcome led to a significant majority of states parties supporting his removal.

Karim Khan assumed the role of ICC Chief Prosecutor in June 2021, succeeding Fatou Bensouda. His tenure was marked by several high-profile investigations, including those related to the war in Ukraine and alleged crimes in Afghanistan. The allegations of misconduct emerged during his term, prompting the internal review process that ultimately led to this unprecedented vote.

The removal of a sitting Chief Prosecutor is a rare event in the ICC's history and raises questions about the court's internal governance and the vetting processes for its senior officials. The Assembly of States Parties is now expected to initiate a process to select a successor for the remainder of Khan's term, which was scheduled to end in 2026.