ICC MEMBER STATES VOTE TO REMOVE CHIEF PROSECUTOR KARIM KHAN

Member states of the International Criminal Court voted on Friday to remove Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan following allegations of sexual misconduct. According to diplomatic sources, 82 of the court's 125 member states voted by secret ballot to dismiss Khan, surpassing the absolute majority of 63 votes required for removal. Thirteen states voted against removal and 15 abstained. This marks the first time in the ICC's 24-year history that member states have voted to remove a sitting chief prosecutor from office.

The vote followed a June report by the ICC's executive body, which concluded that Khan had engaged in a sexual relationship with a female member of his staff, his direct special assistant. The executive body found that such a relationship constituted "serious misconduct" given the power imbalance involved. Khan has steadfastly denied engaging in any sexual relationship, whilst the complainant has alleged non-consensual conduct. In a CNN interview last week, the complainant publicly stood by her allegation of non-consensual sexual conduct. Khan was temporarily removed from his duties in June pending Friday's vote and was not present at the closed-door meeting.

The removal takes immediate effect, and the ICC will proceed with elections for a new prosecutor. Khan told one outlet in May that he would appeal the removal decision before the administrative tribunal of the International Labour Organisation. Khan was barred from entering the United States after being sanctioned by the Trump administration over the ICC's investigation into Israeli officials regarding the military's conduct in Gaza.