ICC prosecutor behind arrest warrants against Putin, Netanyahu removed after sexual misconduct finding

International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor Karim Khan, who pursued arrest warrants against Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has been removed from office following a finding of sexual misconduct.

The Assembly of States Parties, which oversees the ICC, voted to remove Khan during a special session at the United Nations headquarters in New York on July 24.

The decision was taken through a secret ballot. 82 of the ICC’s 125 member states supported his removal under Article 46 of the Rome Statute.

“The Assembly adopted a decision finding that Mr Karim Khan committed serious misconduct and serious breach of duty,” the ICC said.

Khan, a British barrister, has denied any wrongdoing. His lawyer Tayab Ali said that Khan would challenge the decision through all available legal mechanisms.

The allegations relate to claims of coercive and non-consensual sexual conduct involving a junior lawyer working at the ICC. Khan has denied having any sexual relationship with the woman.

He had been on leave since May 2025 while the allegations were investigated. In June 2026, the Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties suspended him with immediate effect and referred the question of his removal to the full Assembly.

Khan took office as the ICC’s third prosecutor in June 2021 for a 9-year term. He rose to international prominence after seeking arrest warrants against Putin over alleged crimes in Ukraine.

He later sought warrants against Netanyahu and former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. The ICC’s judges subsequently issued the warrants.

Khan also sought warrants against senior Hamas leaders and Myanmar military chief Min Aung Hlaing.

His removal has triggered the process for electing a new ICC prosecutor. A successor is not expected to be elected before 2027.