He also remains suspended from practising law in the UK
Karim Khan has been removed as chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) after member states voted to dismiss him over allegations of sexual misconduct.
The ICC’s Assembly of States Parties voted 82 in favour of removing Khan, who was elected as the court’s third prosecutor in 2021.
The decision follows an investigation by the court’s oversight body, which found in June that Khan had committed a “serious breach of duty and serious misconduct” by engaging in an improper sexual relationship with a junior ICC staff member and attempting to prevent her from pursuing her complaint.
Khan has repeatedly denied the allegations against him.
His lawyer said he would challenge “the lawfulness and fairness of the decision through all available legal mechanisms”.
It is not yet clear what legal options remain available to the former prosecutor.
Following the vote, the ICC said it had “taken note” of the decision made by the Special Session of the Assembly of States Parties, which represents the court’s 125 member states.
The statement said: “The Court will continue to attach the utmost importance to maintaining a safe, inclusive, and respectful working environment for all personnel.”
The removal marks a significant moment for the ICC, which is the world’s only permanent court dedicated to prosecuting genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and aggression.
The controversy surrounding Khan has placed the institution under intense scrutiny, while supporters have warned that the court could emerge weakened as it faces growing political pressure.
Karim Khan, a prominent British lawyer, had been on voluntary leave since May 2025 while fighting the allegations.
He also remains suspended from practising law in the UK after the Bar Standards Board imposed an interim ban while it carries out its own inquiry.
He was unable to attend the vote at the United Nations headquarters in New York because he is barred from entering the United States under sanctions imposed by the Trump administration.
The sanctions were introduced after Khan sought arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes linked to the war in Gaza.
The allegations against Khan first emerged in May 2024 after a third party reported claims of sexual misconduct involving a female ICC staff member.
The ICC’s Independent Oversight Mechanism (IOM) launched an investigation, but the case was later closed after the alleged victim declined to participate.
Critics argued the process had been mishandled, damaging confidence in the IOM’s investigation.
Investigators later concluded there was insufficient evidence to substantiate the allegations.
A second referral was made in October 2024, leading to the case being transferred to the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS).
The OIOS investigation examined allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of authority between November 2024 and December 2025, producing more than 5,000 pages of evidence and testimony.
The findings were reviewed by a panel of three judges, who assessed whether Khan’s conduct amounted to serious misconduct, less serious misconduct or no misconduct.
The decision to remove Khan comes as the ICC faces wider challenges over its role in international justice.
Earlier in July 2026, the United States launched a new “whole-of-government” campaign aimed at dismantling the ICC “brick by brick”, describing the court as a threat to American sovereignty.
The campaign includes proposed visa bans, asset freezes and diplomatic pressure on allies to withdraw from the court or reject its jurisdiction over their nationals.
The United States, Russia and Israel are not members of the ICC. However, the court can investigate crimes committed by their nationals if they allegedly took place on the territory of ICC member states.
The ICC has said it will continue its work despite Khan’s removal, but the decision has intensified debate over the future strength and independence of the court.
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