ICC member states remove Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan in first-ever dismissal

On July 24, 2026, the International Criminal Court's 125 member states voted by a large majority to remove chief prosecutor Karim Khan over findings of serious sexual misconduct involving a female aide. Khan, who has consistently denied the allegations, is the first chief prosecutor to be ousted in the court's history. The decision comes amid intense geopolitical pressure, including a campaign by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to dismantle the court following Khan's 2024 pursuit of arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

Karim Khan removal from ICC

• ▪The Assembly of States Parties of the International Criminal Court voted on July 24, 2026, to remove chief prosecutor Karim Khan from office.
• ▪A motion brought by Sierra Leone that would have made it more difficult to oust Karim Khan failed early in the session on July 24, 2026.
• ▪The removal of Karim Khan marks the first time in the history of the International Criminal Court that a sitting chief prosecutor has been removed from office.
• ▪Deputy prosecutors Nazhat Shameen Khan and Mame Mandiaye Niang will head the prosecutor's office until a new chief prosecutor is elected.

Sexual misconduct investigation findings

• ▪The Assembly of States Parties concluded that Karim Khan committed serious misconduct and a serious breach of duty involving a female aide.
• ▪Documents reviewed by The Associated Press indicated Karim Khan engaged in a sexual relationship with a staff member and tried to prevent her from pursuing allegations.
• ▪Karim Khan's defense attorney, Tayab Ali, stated that a judicial panel determined findings by the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services did not establish misconduct.

U.S. sanctions against ICC

• ▪US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a campaign to dismantle the International Criminal Court, including pressuring member states to withdraw and imposing travel bans.
• ▪The Trump administration has imposed sanctions on at least 11 International Criminal Court officials, including Karim Khan, over warrants issued for Israeli officials.

Venezuela withdrawal from ICC

• ▪International Criminal Court prosecutors dropped an investigation into whether US sanctions against Venezuela qualified as crimes against humanity, citing a lack of evidence.
• ▪Venezuela announced its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court on July 24, 2026, citing a demonstrated geographical bias against the Global South.

Gaza war arrest warrants

• ▪The removal of Karim Khan will have no immediate impact on the arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, which only judges can withdraw.
• ▪In May 2024, Karim Khan sought arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant, and three Hamas leaders over alleged war crimes.