ICC Members Vote Today on Prosecutor Karim Khan's Removal

On Friday, the member states of the International Criminal Court (ICC) will cast their votes on whether to dismiss the court’s Chief Prosecutor, Karim Khan, who faces accusations of inappropriate sexual conduct.

Khan, who is 56 years old, denies any wrongdoing. His legal team has characterized the administrative body's decision to hold the vote as unlawful, procedurally unfair, and unsupported by evidence.

This vote occurs amid renewed criticism from the United States, which views the ICC as a threat to its sovereignty, according to Reuters.

Political Pressure Surrounding the Vote

If the ICC member states approve Khan’s removal, his supporters are likely to interpret the decision as politically motivated. This follows Khan’s efforts to issue arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials accused of war crimes in the Gaza Strip.

Israel denies committing war crimes, is not a member of the ICC, and has rejected the arrest warrants, labeling them invalid.

Even if the vote rejects Khan’s dismissal, his position will remain weakened, providing opponents of the ICC—established by the international community in 2002 to address war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity—another opportunity to criticize the court.

US Criticism and Sanctions Against ICC Officials

During a visit to the Philippines on Thursday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio referred to some ICC members as "crazy and mentally unstable," asserting that no American political or military official could be tried by the court. These remarks echoed previous criticisms.

The United States, which is also not a member of the ICC, has already imposed sanctions on 11 judges and prosecutors at the court, including Khan. These sanctions are linked to the ICC’s arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as a prior investigation into US military conduct in Afghanistan.

Allegations and Voting Procedure

Documents indicate that ICC administrative officials have stated Khan should be removed for violating workplace rules by engaging in inappropriate sexual relations with a junior staff member.

To remove Khan, an absolute majority of at least 63 out of the 125 ICC member states must vote in favor during a secret ballot held at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

The vote is scheduled for approximately 3 p.m. local time (19:00 GMT), with the results expected to be announced around 5:30 p.m. local time (21:30 GMT).