ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan dismissed over sexual misconduct; US vows to dismantle court, Venezuela withdraws
The Assembly of States Parties voted 82-13 with 15 abstentions to remove Karim Khan after a UN probe found non-consensual sexual contact with a staffer. The US welcomed the move but reiterated plans to dismantle the court.
The dismissal vote
The Assembly of States Parties of the International Criminal Court voted on Friday in New York to permanently remove chief prosecutor Karim Khan from office. Of the 125 member states, 82 voted in favour, 13 against, and 15 abstained in a secret ballot. The assembly found that Khan had committed "serious misconduct and a serious breach of his official duties," according to a statement from the delegates. The 56-year-old British jurist had already been suspended in June 2026 and had provisionally stepped down over a year earlier.
- For removal
- 82
- Against
- 13
- Abstained
- 15
The allegations and investigation
The case stems from accusations by a female assistant who told UN officials that Khan had sexually harassed her over several months and eventually forced her into sexual intercourse, the Wall Street Journal reported. A UN commission investigated and delivered its report at the end of 2025, concluding that Khan had "non-consensual sexual contact" with the staffer in his office, his private apartment, and during a business trip. However, a panel of three ICC judges later found flaws in the UN probe, saying witness credibility had not been sufficiently examined. Khan's lawyers said the panel concluded that "no misconduct or breach of duty" had been proven. Despite this, the Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties, representing 21 countries, saw the allegations as proven by a two-thirds majority, leading to the suspension and now the final dismissal.
- Khan provisionally steps down as chief prosecutor.
- UN commission delivers report finding non-consensual sexual contact.
- Khan is suspended by the ICC.
- Assembly of States Parties votes to permanently remove Khan.
US reaction and sanctions
The United States, which is not a member of the ICC, welcomed Khan's removal but made clear its broader hostility toward the court remains unchanged. State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott wrote on X:
It's good that he's gone, but he is only a small cog in this irredeemably corrupt institution. Today's outcome will have no impact on US plans to dismantle the ICC.
The US has imposed sanctions on ICC judges and staff, blocking their email accounts, credit cards, travel to the United States, and any US-based bank assets. In July, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a campaign to isolate the court, saying the ICC and its supporters were waging "a war against our country" through lawfare. The State Department said it aims to "systematically disable" the court's ability to target American soldiers or officials.
Venezuela withdraws
Simultaneously with the special session on Khan's dismissal, Venezuela announced its withdrawal from the ICC. The government in Caracas justified the move by arguing that the court discriminates against countries of the Global South. The announcement adds to the political pressure on the institution, which is already grappling with conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan.
What happens next
The deputy chief prosecutors will continue to lead the office, and the court said the arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would not be affected by Khan's departure. The search for a successor will begin immediately, but an appointment is not expected until next year. The affair has damaged the international reputation of the ICC, whose chief prosecutor is seen as the moral face of the institution tasked with holding political and military leaders accountable for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.
