ICC removes chief prosecutor Karim Khan over sexual misconduct

Karim Khan International Criminal Court sexual misconduct US sanctions Assembly of States Parties

On 24 July 2026 the Assembly of States Parties of the International Criminal Court voted by secret ballot, with an absolute majority of 82 of 125 member states, to dismiss chief prosecutor Karim Khan for serious sexual misconduct and breach of duty under article 46 of the Rome Statute. Khan denied the allegations, describing the disciplinary process as illegal and lacking evidence.

The United States praised the removal, with State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott calling it a “paradigmatic example of ICC corruption”. U.S. officials, including Senator Marco Rubio, have announced plans to dismantle the court and have imposed sanctions on Khan and a dozen other ICC officials, freezing their assets and prohibiting U.S. financial transactions.

The decision was welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said it “exposes the truth”. The removal raises concerns for ongoing ICC investigations, including arrest warrants against Israeli leaders Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, as well as Russian President Vladimir Putin. The court, which operates on an annual budget of roughly €170 million funded by its 125 member states, will now begin the process to appoint a new chief prosecutor.

Entities: Assembly of States Parties · Benjamin Netanyahu · International Criminal Court · Karim Khan · Marco Rubio · Tommy Pigott · United Kingdom · United States · United States

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 6 SOURCES] The United States imposed sanctions on Karim Khan and twelve other ICC officials, freezing assets and prohibiting financial transactions with U.S. entities. (existing)
[● 2 SOURCES] The International Criminal Court’s annual budget is about €170 million, funded by contributions from its 125 member states. (existing)
[● 5 SOURCES] The Assembly of States Parties of the ICC voted on 24 July 2026 to dismiss Prosecutor Karim Khan, with 82 of 125 member states voting in favor. (existing)
[● 4 SOURCES] Karim Khan was accused of sexual harassment of female staff, which led to his dismissal. (existing)
[● 3 SOURCES] The ICC announced it will begin the process to appoint a new prosecutor following Karim Khan’s dismissal. (existing)
[● 3 SOURCES] U.S. Senator Marco Rubio announced plans to eliminate the International Criminal Court, calling it a threat to U.S. sovereignty. (existing)
[● 3 SOURCES] Karim Khan denied the sexual misconduct allegations, calling the disciplinary process illegal and lacking evidence. (existing)
[● 3 SOURCES] U.S. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott praised Khan’s dismissal as evidence of ICC corruption. (existing)