The International Criminal Court's member states voted to dismiss chief prosecutor Karim Khan, with 82 countries in favor, following testimonies of sexual harassment against him.
The International Criminal Court's member states voted to dismiss chief prosecutor Karim Khan on Friday, with 82 countries supporting the motion following testimonies of sexual harassment. The vote, which required 63 votes to pass, finalizes the removal process that began with an internal misconduct investigation.
The Zioneer first reported the dismissal at 20:31 Jerusalem, with the initial bulletin indicating a vote had taken place. A subsequent bulletin at 20:48, citing Reuters, provided the breakdown: 82 in favor, 13 against, and 12 abstentions. The vote came after the court's executive board recommended Khan's removal on June 25, citing non-consensual sexual contact with a staff member.
As The Zioneer reported, Khan was suspended on June 9 after an 18-month investigation determined he had committed serious misconduct. The UK's Solicitors Regulation Authority also suspended him on June 19 pending a sexual assault probe. Today's vote by the assembly of member states formalizes the dismissal.
The decision has implications for Israel, where Khan had issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Israeli UN Ambassador Danny Danon welcomed the dismissal, calling it a rejection of what he termed a 'political witch hunt.'
6 developments
- StrongReuters: ICC executive board recommends removing chief prosecutor Karim Khan after misconduct probe
- ConfirmedICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan suspended after sexual misconduct inquiry
- StrongICC to vote next month on removing chief prosecutor Karim Khan
- DevelopingUK solicitors' watchdog suspends ICC prosecutor Karim Khan pending sexual assault probe
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