For the first time in its 24-year history, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has voted to remove its own chief prosecutor, a British barrister who once sought arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin and Benjamin Netanyahu. The decision, backed by 82 of the court's 125 member states, came after an internal investigation found he had committed 'serious breach of duty and serious misconduct' by engaging in an improper sexual relationship with a junior staff member and trying to stop her complaint.
Karim Khan, elected the ICC's third prosecutor in 2021, has repeatedly denied all the allegations. His lawyers said he would 'challenge the lawfulness and fairness of the decision through all available legal mechanisms'. But the vote, held in a closed-door session at the United Nations in New York, is likely to reshape the institution itself – not just the fate of one man.
“ICC removes prosecutor Karim Khan over sexual misconduct – what it means for the war crimes court”
The ICC is the world's only permanent court set up to prosecute individuals for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Based in The Hague, it operates independently but depends on the cooperation of its member states – currently 125 countries. The prosecutor's job is to lead investigations and bring cases to trial. Khan, a former British barrister, took office in 2021 on a nine-year mandate. During his tenure, he issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin over the Ukraine war and for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over alleged war crimes in Gaza – decisions that raised the court's profile but also put it in the crosshairs of powerful nations like the US and Russia.
The misconduct allegations first emerged in May 2024, when a third party reported to the ICC that Khan had engaged in sexual misconduct involving a female staff member. The court's Independent Oversight Mechanism (IOM) opened an investigation, but it was later closed after the alleged victim declined to participate. Critics said the process was mishandled. A second referral followed in October 2024. In June 2025, the court's oversight body concluded Khan had committed serious misconduct. He was suspended and voluntarily took leave to fight the allegations. In May 2025, the Bar Standards Board imposed an interim ban on him practising law in the UK while it conducts its own inquiry.
The removal vote took place on Friday, with 82 states voting in favour, 13 against and 11 abstaining. Khan could not attend because he is barred from entering the US under sanctions imposed by the Trump administration over the ICC's investigation into Israeli officials. The US is not an ICC member.
For UK readers, the scandal hits close to home. Khan is a prominent British lawyer, and his fall from grace raises questions about the UK's role in international justice. The UK is a founding member of the ICC and a strong supporter. The case has also highlighted the court's internal vulnerabilities – especially its handling of workplace misconduct – at a time when it faces unprecedented external attacks from powerful states that reject its authority.
The arrest warrants Khan sought against Putin and Netanyahu remain valid, because they were issued by judges, not the prosecutor. But the prosecution division, which has about 400 staff, has been left bruised. Supporters of the ICC fear the institution will emerge weaker and less able to confront the gravest global threats.
Q: What is the International Criminal Court? The ICC is a permanent court in The Hague that prosecutes individuals for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. It was established by the Rome Statute in 2002 and has 125 member states. It only steps in when national courts are unwilling or unable to act.
Q: What did Karim Khan do as prosecutor? Khan was elected in 2021. He opened investigations into alleged war crimes in Ukraine and Gaza, issuing arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin and Benjamin Netanyahu among others. These moves raised the ICC's profile but also drew fierce criticism from Russia, the US and Israel.
Q: Why does this matter for the ICC's future? The removal is a major test of the court's governance. It shows the ICC can hold its top officials accountable, but the long and messy process has damaged morale and credibility. Critics say the handling of the allegations undermined faith in the court's oversight mechanisms. The crisis comes as the ICC faces direct attacks from powerful states seeking to weaken or dismantle it.
What happens next is uncertain. Khan's lawyers say they will challenge the decision through all available legal means, though it's unclear what options remain. The ICC must now choose a new prosecutor – a process that could take months or longer. Meanwhile, the court will try to rebuild trust and focus on existing cases. But the damage from this scandal, on top of external pressures, may take years to repair.