Karim Khan, chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), has been removed from his position following a vote by the court’s member states. In a secret ballot held on Friday, 82 of the ICC’s 125 members concluded that Khan had engaged in serious misconduct and breached his duties, leading to his dismissal, according to a court statement.

The ICC Presidency stressed the importance of respecting the privacy and rights of all individuals involved in the matter. Khan, a British lawyer who has served as chief prosecutor since 2021, faced allegations of sexual misconduct raised in 2024 by a close colleague. He has consistently denied these claims. Earlier this year, in June, he was suspended amid an investigation into suspected misconduct involving a member of ICC staff.

During his tenure, Khan notably sought an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of alleged crimes committed during the Gaza conflict. The decision to remove Khan marks a significant development for the ICC, which relies on the credibility and integrity of its leadership to conduct investigations into international crimes. The court has not yet announced a successor to lead the prosecution office.