ICC Bureau Votes to Fire Karim Khan: Full Timeline, Findings, and What Comes Next

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is in crisis. On June 24, 2026, the ICC Bureau — the executive committee of the court's governing body — formally recommended that chief prosecutor Karim Khan be fired, finding that he had engaged in an inappropriate sexual relationship with a junior staff member and committed "non-consensual sexual contact" . The recommendation sets up a high-stakes vote by all 125 member states on July 24, 2026, that could remove Khan from office for the first time in the ICC's history .

Here is what the investigation found, what happens next, and how Khan is responding.

The U.N. Investigation: 18 Months of Evidence

The probe into Khan's conduct began in late 2024 after a female lawyer on his staff accused him of sexual misconduct . The ICC initially opened an external investigation, and the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) took charge of the inquiry . Over 18 months, OIOS investigators gathered evidence and testimony, producing a report that has not been made public .

According to multiple news organizations that reviewed the findings, the OIOS investigation concluded that Khan had engaged in "non-consensual sexual contact" with the alleged victim and maintained an inappropriate sexual relationship with a subordinate . The evidence met what OIOS described as a civil standard of proof, indicating that Khan had committed "serious misconduct" and a "serious breach of duty" .

A Procedural Twist: Judges Cleared Khan First

The case took a dramatic turn in March 2026 when a three-judge panel appointed by the ICC reviewed the OIOS report. The judges unanimously concluded that "the factual findings by OIOS do not establish misconduct or breach of duty" by Khan . Using a higher legal standard — "beyond reasonable doubt" — the panel said the evidence was insufficient to support a misconduct finding, and that Khan could potentially resume his duties .

Khan cited this judicial clearance in his public defense, arguing he had been exonerated . But the ICC Bureau, which acts as an executive oversight committee, did not accept the judges' interpretation. After months of deliberation, the Bureau determined on June 8–9, 2026, that the OIOS findings were credible and that Khan had indeed committed serious misconduct .

The Bureau's Formal Recommendation: Fire Khan

On June 24, 2026, the Bureau released its written decision — the first time the specific details of its recommendation were made public . The executive bureau, composed of representatives from 21 ICC member states, found that Khan's relationship with the junior staff member began in March 2023 and "escalated over time" . The Bureau concluded that the prosecutor should be dismissed from office .

Khan was immediately suspended from his role as ICC chief prosecutor on June 8/9, 2026, pending the full assembly vote . In a related development, the Bar Standards Board in England and Wales also suspended Khan from practicing as a barrister on June 19, 2026 .

Khan's Response: Denial and Accusations of a 'Dangerous' Campaign

Karim Khan has consistently and forcefully denied all allegations of sexual misconduct . His legal representatives called the Bureau's ruling "flawed" and a "dangerous attempt" to remove him over unfounded claims . In multiple media appearances, Khan argued that the process has been unfair and that a two-page summary of the OIOS report "fundamentally misrepresents" its actual findings .

Khan has also accused members of the ICC's governing body of waging a biased campaign against him, linking the disciplinary proceedings to his decision to pursue investigations into alleged Israeli war crimes in Gaza . His lawyers assert that the push to remove him is politically motivated, not based on credible evidence .

Next Steps: The July 24 Removal Vote

The fate of Karim Khan will now be decided by the full Assembly of States Parties — all 125 ICC member countries. A special session has been scheduled for July 24, 2026 to vote on his removal .

Voting Threshold

Under the Rome Statute, removal of a prosecutor requires a two-thirds majority vote of the states parties present and voting . This process is governed by Article 46 of the Rome Statute, which specifies a secret ballot vote. With 125 member nations, the bar for removal is high, and the outcome remains uncertain.

In the Meantime

Khan remains suspended from all ICC duties. His deputies, Nazhat Shameem Khan and Mame Mandiaye Niang, have been leading the Office of the Prosecutor since May 2025 and continue to manage the court's active cases .