The assembly of states at the International Criminal Court (ICC) has voted to remove Karim Khan from his role as chief prosecutor amid allegations of sexual misconduct.

Selected as the court's third prosecutor in 2021, Khan was placed on suspension last month. The removal decision received approval from 82 member states.

The oversight body concluded in June that he had committed a serious breach of duty and serious misconduct through an improper sexual relationship with a junior staff member and attempts to prevent her from advancing her complaint.

Khan has consistently rejected every allegation. His legal representative indicated plans to contest the decision's lawfulness and fairness via all possible legal channels.

Available legal options for the former prosecutor remain unclear at this stage.

Following the vote, the ICC acknowledged the outcome from the Special Session of the Assembly of States Parties, which includes 125 participating nations that supported Khan's removal.

The Court reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive, and respectful workplace for every staff member, according to the official statement.

Yet the entire matter extends past one individual's case and may transform the sole permanent international war-crimes court.

The misconduct probe has exposed the institution to intense examination, deepened internal divisions, and unfolded against a broader effort to undermine or even dissolve the ICC completely.

Supporters worry the court could emerge diminished and less equipped to confront major global challenges.

Khan, a well-known British lawyer, has been on voluntary leave since May 2025 to address the claims. He also faces an interim suspension from UK legal practice imposed by the Bar Standards Board during its separate review.

He could not participate in the vote at United Nations headquarters in New York due to entry restrictions from US sanctions linked to the ICC's probes into alleged war crimes by Israeli officials in Gaza.

The controversy is expected to persist beyond his removal.

The outcome stems from a sensitive procedure that has drawn heavy attention to the court.

Allegations of sexual misconduct by Khan involving a female staff member first surfaced through a third-party report to the ICC in May 2024.

The Independent Oversight Mechanism launched an inquiry, which closed after the alleged victim chose not to engage further.

Some observers criticized the handling of the case, arguing it weakened trust in the oversight body.

Investigators ultimately determined there was not enough evidence to support the claims.

A follow-up referral occurred in October 2024. The case moved to the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services for a wider review of sexual misconduct and authority abuse allegations.

The inquiry spanned November 2024 to December 2025 and produced over 5,000 pages of evidence and testimony.

A panel of three judges then examined the findings to determine if Khan's actions qualified as serious misconduct, less serious misconduct, or no misconduct.

These developments occurred amid extraordinary external pressures on the ICC and broader political strains.

The United States sanctioned Khan after he pursued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant regarding alleged crimes tied to the Gaza conflict.

Washington's stance toward the court has grown more confrontational in recent years.

Earlier this month, the US initiated a new whole-of-government effort to dismantle the ICC step by step, citing threats to American sovereignty and outlining measures such as visa restrictions, asset freezes, and diplomatic efforts to encourage allies to exit the court or reject its authority over their citizens.

The United States, Russia, and Israel do not belong to the ICC. Still, the court holds jurisdiction over crimes by their nationals when committed on the soil of member states.