The executive body of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has reportedly altered its internal voting regulations to simplify the potential ouster of Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan.
According to reports from Middle East Eye, which cited multiple diplomatic sources, this change was approved by a majority of the bureau of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) during a meeting in early July.
Previously, the process required two separate stages: a vote to confirm serious misconduct, requiring a two-thirds majority, and a subsequent vote to approve dismissal, requiring an absolute majority.
The new rules consolidate this into a single vote and lower the threshold for finding serious misconduct to a bare absolute majority.
This procedural shift comes despite a judicial panel concluding that there was insufficient evidence to support allegations of sexual harassment against him.
These accusations were originally made by a woman in Khan’s office who alleged “unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature” and abuse of authority occurring during overseas missions and at the court’s headquarters in The Hague.
While the bureau reframed the allegations as an “inappropriate” power imbalance in a consensual relationship, Khan has strenuously denied any sexual relationship occurred at all.
Lawyers for Khan have criticized the move as a breach of fairness and legal protocol, suggesting the rules were changed mid-case to his disadvantage.
The situation is further complicated by external political pressure, as Khan has faced significant backlash and crippling sanctions from non-member states following his pursuit of high-profile arrest warrants.
These warrants were sought against figures including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as Hamas officials and Taliban leaders.
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