{"id":1992,"date":"2026-07-24T18:10:59","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T18:10:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/topmovingpross.com\/?p=1992"},"modified":"2026-07-24T18:10:59","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T18:10:59","slug":"icc-chief-prosecutor-removed-from-post-over-sexual-misconduct-allegations-diplomats-tell-ap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/topmovingpross.com\/?p=1992","title":{"rendered":"ICC chief prosecutor removed from post over sexual misconduct allegations, diplomats tell AP"},"content":{"rendered":"
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UNITED NATIONS (AP) \u2014 Member state representatives of the International Criminal Court<\/span> voted to remove the global tribunal\u2019s chief prosecutor<\/span> on Friday, nearly two years after sexual misconduct allegations against him first emerged, two diplomats have confirmed to The Associated Press.<\/p>\n

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British barrister Karim Khan has been accused of sexual misconduct with a female aide, as outlined by the AP in a series of stories<\/span>, allegations which he has steadfastly denied.<\/p>\n

By a large majority, the ICC\u2019s 125-member states ousted Khan from his position, the first time a chief prosecutor has ever been removed from office.<\/p>\n

The 56-year-old Khan was temporarily removed<\/span> from his duties at the ICC in June, pending Friday\u2019s vote, after a report by the executive committee of the court\u2019s oversight body found he had committed \u201cserious misconduct.\u201d According to documents seen by the AP, Khan engaged in a sexual relationship with the woman and tried to prevent her from pursuing her allegations. Khan disputes those findings. <\/p>\n

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Early in the session, a motion brought by Sierre Leone that would have made it harder to oust Khan failed and diplomats quickly moved forward to vote on removal, several hours ahead of schedule, according to three diplomatic sources who were familiar with the proceedings. <\/p>\n

Countries voted by secret ballot. The court\u2019s host state of the Netherlands said it voted for his removal, as did France and Norway, which made their decisions public ahead of the meeting. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe believe it has been proven beyond reasonable doubt that his conduct constituted sexual harassment and abuse of power,\u201d Norway\u2019s deputy foreign minister, Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik, said in a statement to the AP. <\/p>\n

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In a letter to Parliament last week, Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen indicated that there was sufficient support to remove Khan. \u201cAlthough the balance of power within the ASP is still evolving, the position of most contracting parties also appears to be in line with the recommendation of the ASP Office,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

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P\u00e4ivi Kaukoranta, president of the Assembly of State Parties, said at the public opening of the meeting that the vote would be in private to \u201caddress a complex and sensitive disciplinary matter as part of this governance and oversight role of the International Criminal Court.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The lengthy and complicated process has pitted human rights advocates, staff and member states against one another at a time when the court is already facing daunting challenges, including a campaign by the United States to \u201c dismantle<\/span> \u201d the ICC, which was established to prosecute people responsible for humanity\u2019s worst crimes.<\/p>\n

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