THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Member states of the International Criminal Court (ICC) have voted to remove Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan from office following allegations of sexual misconduct.
The court’s oversight body, the Assembly of States Parties (ASP), announced on Friday that 82 of the ICC’s 125 member states voted in favour of Khan’s dismissal, while 13 voted against and 15 abstained.
ASP President Paivi Kaukoranta said the decision followed findings that Khan had committed “serious misconduct and serious breach of duty.”
Khan, a 56-year-old British barrister, has consistently denied allegations of sexual misconduct made by a female aide.
He was temporarily relieved of his duties in June after an executive committee report reached similar conclusions.
Despite his removal, all arrest warrants issued during Khan’s tenure remain valid, as only ICC judges have the authority to revoke them.
Khan’s lawyer, Tayab Ali, said the former prosecutor would challenge the decision through available legal channels.
“Mr. Khan will challenge the lawfulness and fairness of the decision through all available legal mechanisms,” Ali wrote on X.
The dismissal has drawn mixed reactions internationally. Kenneth Roth, former Executive Director of Human Rights Watch and a visiting professor at Princeton University, welcomed the decision, saying ICC member states had “done the right thing.”
Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, criticised Khan, accusing him of using arrest warrants against Israeli officials as a distraction from the allegations against him.
Khan gained global attention in 2024 after seeking arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over the Gaza war, alongside senior Hamas figures.
Hamas launched its attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
His removal comes as the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump intensifies pressure on the Hague-based court.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently said Washington had begun a “sweeping campaign” to counter what it described as threats posed by the ICC to U.S. sovereignty.
The U.S. State Department has also indicated it is considering visa restrictions, travel bans and additional sanctions against ICC personnel and affiliated organisations.
Neither the United States nor Israel is a member of the ICC.
Meanwhile, Venezuela announced its withdrawal from the ICC, with Foreign Minister Felix Plasencia accusing the court of disproportionately targeting African and Latin American countries while neglecting other regions.
Plasencia said the decision was made on the instruction of interim leader Delcy Rodriguez.
Source – DW
(vitalnewsngr.com)
