Karim Khan, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), has been removed from office following allegations of sexual misconduct. The decision was reached during an extraordinary meeting of ICC member states held at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Friday, July 24, according to diplomatic sources cited by Reuters.

The emergency session concluded with a decisive vote by the Court's 125 member states. A total of 82 countries voted in favor of removing Khan from office, while 13 opposed the motion and 15 abstained.

Following the announcement, Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, welcomed the outcome in a statement posted on X. He argued that Khan had attempted to divert attention from the allegations against him through what he described as a politically motivated campaign against Israel. Danon also referenced the arrest warrants issued by the ICC against Israeli officials, claiming they were part of a broader political agenda.

Karim Khan, who has served as the ICC's Chief Prosecutor since 2021, has been accused of sexually assaulting a member of his staff. He has consistently denied the allegations. While the investigation has been ongoing, Khan stepped aside from his duties and was later suspended pending the final decision of ICC member states.

The allegations first surfaced in October 2024, when several international media organizations reported claims of sexual misconduct against Khan. An independent investigation was subsequently launched to examine the accusations. In June 2026, he was formally suspended while member states considered his future at the Court.

Khan's legal team has maintained that the findings of the investigation do not conclusively support the allegations. His lawyers argue that his removal is politically motivated and effectively sidelines a prosecutor who had become controversial because of high-profile cases under his leadership.

Among the most significant of those cases were the arrest warrants issued against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant in connection with the conflict in Gaza. Those actions drew strong criticism from Israel and resulted in sanctions against Khan by the United States.

Despite these arguments, a number of ICC member states concluded that the allegations had damaged the credibility and reputation of the Court. Their decision to remove Khan reflects an effort to protect the institution's integrity while legal and political debates surrounding the case continue.

The International Criminal Court has not yet announced a permanent successor, and further developments are expected as the institution moves to restore confidence in its leadership.