ICC Assembly of States Parties votes 82-13 to remove Prosecutor Karim Khan

Published Jul 25, 12:51 PM UTC

On July 25, 2026, the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) of the International Criminal Court (ICC) voted 82-13, with 15 abstentions, to remove Prosecutor Karim Khan for sexual misconduct against a junior staff member. The dismissal is effective immediately, and Khan's lawyers have pledged to challenge the outcome, though no legal avenue exists under the Rome Statute. The article analyzes the politicized context surrounding the vote, including unsubstantiated claims that the allegations were an Israeli fabrication to retaliate for Khan's arrest warrant against Prime Minister Netanyahu. It notes that the United States is seeking to dismantle the Court, further complicating perceptions. The author argues that states focused on the serious, well-grounded allegations and that the vote should be respected. Looking ahead, the article stresses the need for the ICC to concretize procedures for adjudicating misconduct allegations against senior officials to prevent procedural improprieties from being exploited and to restore institutional credibility.