Member states of the International Criminal Court (ICC) are due to vote on Friday on whether to dismiss Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan over allegations of sexual misconduct. Balochistan Workshop PM Shehbaz Accuses India of Backing Terrorism, Calls for Economic Shift Khan, 56, denies all allegations. Meanwhile, his legal team argues that the decision to hold the vote is unlawful, procedurally unfair and unsupported by evidence. Key vote at the United Nations The secret ballot will take place during a meeting of the ICC’s governing body at the United Nations headquarters in New York. To remove Khan, at least 63 of the court’s 125 member states must vote in favour of his dismissal. The vote is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. local time (1900 GMT). Afterwards, officials are expected to announce the result at around 5:30 p.m. (2130 GMT). Political pressure surrounds the case Supporters of Khan argue that any decision to remove him could reflect political pressure. They point to his request for arrest warrants against senior Israeli officials over alleged war crimes in Gaza. However, Israel rejects the allegations, dismisses the warrants as baseless and is not a member of the ICC. Even if Khan survives the vote, the controversy could weaken his position. In addition, critics may use the dispute to intensify pressure on the court, which prosecutes war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity. US renews criticism of the ICC Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio again criticised the ICC during a visit to the Philippines. He said there were “lunatics and crazies” at the court and insisted that no US political or military official would ever stand trial before it. The United States is not a member of the ICC. Previously, Washington imposed sanctions on 11 ICC judges and prosecutors, including Khan, over investigations involving Israel and earlier inquiries into US military actions in Afghanistan. European support for dismissal According to documents reviewed by Reuters, officials from the ICC’s governing body concluded that Khan committed serious misconduct through an inappropriate relationship with a junior staff member. As a result, France announced it would support his dismissal. Likewise, the Netherlands, which hosts the ICC in The Hague, also confirmed it would vote in favour of his removal. Khan has remained on voluntary leave since May 2025 and has been formally suspended since June while the investigation continues. What happens next? Last week, Khan’s accuser publicly repeated her allegations during an interview with CNN. However, Khan’s lawyers again denied that he had any sexual relationship with the staff member. If member states remove Khan, the ICC will immediately begin the process of electing a new chief prosecutor. Nevertheless, any arrest warrants already issued by the court will remain valid because only ICC judges have the authority to withdraw them. Post navigation India Exam Leaks Modi Announces Fast-Track Courts as Student Protests Intensify
