The International Criminal Court's member states voted to remove chief prosecutor Karim Khan, with 85 in favor and 13 against, amid allegations of sexual misconduct. Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon said Khan 'used the persecution of Israel to save himself' and has lost the world's trust.
Member states of the International Criminal Court voted to dismiss chief prosecutor Karim Khan on Friday evening, with 85 in favor and 13 against. The vote removes Khan, who has been under investigation for sexual misconduct, from office. Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon responded, stating that Khan 'used the persecution of Israel to save himself' and has 'lost the world's trust.'
The push to remove Khan escalated quickly. On Thursday, The Zioneer reported that France would vote in favor of his dismissal, and that an internal probe had found Khan had engaged in non-consensual sexual contact with a staff member. Later on Thursday, the Netherlands announced it would also support the move. The vote itself, requiring a 63-vote majority, was held on Friday and resulted in a decisive 85-13 outcome.
The dismissal follows a months-long process. On June 9, The Zioneer reported that Khan had been suspended after an 18-month investigation found 'serious misconduct.' In late June, the ICC's executive board recommended his removal, citing findings of non-consensual sexual contact. The recommendation required a 63-vote majority from member states, a threshold that Friday's vote easily surpassed.
Danon's statement highlighted the connection between the misconduct allegations and Khan's pursuit of charges against Israeli leaders. The ICC has not yet addressed the fate of those cases, and no details have been released on Khan's potential next steps.
8 developments
- DevelopingIsrael's UN envoy Danon: ICC prosecutor suspension is a chance to quash arrest warrant for Netanyahu
- DevelopingSuspended ICC prosecutor Karim Khan calls his suspension unjustified and illegal
- StrongReuters: ICC executive board recommends removing chief prosecutor Karim Khan after misconduct probe
- DevelopingSaar and MK Saada attack prosecution after panel upholds recommendation to drop bribery charge in Case 4000
Source and signal
- Open-source intake