ICC chief prosecutor removed from office over sexual misconduct allegations

The International Criminal Court's member states voted to remove chief prosecutor Karim Khan over sexual misconduct allegations. The ouster comes as the court faces a U.S. campaign to dismantle it and after it issued arrest warrants for Israeli leaders. Hours after the vote, Venezuela announced its withdrawal from the court, citing geographical bias. Khan's lawyers plan to challenge the removal decision.

Khan removal vote

• ▪Karim Khan's attorney, Tayab Ali, stated that Khan was not given a fair opportunity to be heard and that his legal team would challenge the decision.
• ▪The Assembly of States Parties, the ICC's oversight body, cited "serious misconduct and serious breach of duty" as the reason for Karim Khan's removal.
• ▪The International Criminal Court's 125-member states voted on July 24, 2026, to remove chief prosecutor Karim Khan from office.

Sexual misconduct allegations

• ▪The sexual misconduct allegations against Karim Khan first surfaced nearly two years before his removal from office.
• ▪Human Rights Watch stated the ICC should ensure a safe workplace with effective mechanisms for those who experience abuse or harassment.
• ▪Karim Khan, 56, was accused of sexual misconduct with a female aide, an allegation he has denied.

U.S. campaign against ICC

• ▪The Trump administration has sanctioned 13 ICC staff members, including Karim Khan, with financial penalties and travel bans.
• ▪The U.S. is conducting a campaign to "dismantle" the ICC, which Secretary of State Marco Rubio called a threat to U.S. sovereignty.
• ▪U.S. sanctions were a response to ICC investigations into U.S. personnel in Afghanistan and arrest warrants for top Israeli officials.

Gaza arrest warrants

• ▪The arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant were for alleged crimes against humanity and can only be withdrawn by ICC judges.
• ▪Karim Khan's removal does not immediately affect the 2024 arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

Venezuela ICC withdrawal

• ▪Venezuela announced its withdrawal from the ICC hours after the vote to remove Karim Khan.
• ▪A separate ICC investigation into possible crimes by Venezuelan security forces under former President Nicolás Maduro will continue.
• ▪Venezuela's foreign minister, Félix Plasencia, cited the ICC's "demonstrated geographical bias" against African and Latin American countries as the reason for withdrawing.

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