ICC to vote on removal of chief prosecutor Karim Khan over misconduct

The International Criminal Court (ICC) will hold a special session on 24 July in New York, where its 125 member states are expected to vote on whether to remove chief prosecutor Karim Khan. The Assembly of States Parties recommended his dismissal after a UN‑run internal investigation found he engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct with a junior staff member. Khan has denied the allegations.

The Dutch government, which hosts the court in The Hague, announced it will support the removal and will vote in favour of the dismissal. The European Union also issued a statement reaffirming “unwavering support” for an independent ICC free from political pressure. Meanwhile, the United States has launched a campaign to sanction ICC officials and to pressure member states to withdraw support.

A junior ICC lawyer publicly repeated the misconduct claims in a CNN interview, describing a pattern of non‑consensual contact and power‑imbalance. ICC President Tomoko Akane stressed the court’s need for independence amid growing external pressure.