Netanyahu criticises Karim Khan after ICC members vote to remove him over misconduct findings

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Benjamin Netanyahu called removed ICC prosecutor Karim Khan a 'con job' in a Fox News interview.

Netanyahu claimed Khan filed charges against him to distract from Khan's own alleged crimes.

Netanyahu said he intends to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September.

Khan's lawyer said he plans to challenge the removal through all available legal mechanisms.

Source note: AFP news report published on 26 July 2026 at 15:50:50 UTC.

Update

International Criminal Court member states voted 82 to 13, with 15 abstentions and some absences, to remove Karim Khan for serious misconduct and a serious breach of duty.

Khan's lawyer said he will challenge the lawfulness and fairness of the decision through available legal mechanisms.

The source gives further details about the disputed sexual assault allegations, Khan's denial, his May 2025 step back from duties and the earlier inquiry.

The ICC said it took note of the vote, while the head of the ICC governing body praised member states for upholding the court's integrity.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and Human Rights Watch's Liz Evenson also commented after the decision.

Source note: AFP news report published on 24 July 2026 at 22:34:20 UTC.

Update

The United States welcomed Karim Khan's removal as International Criminal Court prosecutor.

State Department spokesman Tony Pigott described Khan as a small part of what he called an irredeemably corrupt institution.

Pigott said the outcome would not affect United States plans to dismantle the ICC.

Source note: AFP news report published on 24 July 2026 at 21:59:05 UTC.

Update

ICC member states voted 82 of 125 to remove Karim Khan, with 13 voting for him to stay, 15 abstaining and some not attending, according to sources cited by AFP.

Khan's lawyer said he would challenge the lawfulness and fairness of the decision through all available legal mechanisms.

The alleged victim was identified in a CNN interview as a Malaysian lawyer who worked as Khan's direct assistant and asked to be identified by her first name, Sarah.

Sarah told CNN there had been an escalation of attempts that resulted in physical assault and said the power disparity meant it could not be consensual.

Khan categorically denies the accusations.

Paivi Kaukoranta praised member states for unity in upholding the court's integrity.

Khan's lawyer Tayab Ali said the decision had grave implications for the ICC's independence.

The report adds context on Khan's 2024 applications for arrest warrants against Israeli and Hamas leaders, US sanctions against him and ICC judges, and comments from Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and Human Rights Watch's Liz Evenson.

Source note: AFP news report published on 24 July 2026 at 21:22:24 UTC.

Update

The ICC said members found that Karim Khan committed serious misconduct and a serious breach of duty.

The ICC said it would continue to attach high importance to maintaining a safe, inclusive and respectful working environment for all personnel.

Source note: AFP news report published on 24 July 2026 at 21:11:20 UTC.

Update

The ICC said it had noted court members' decision to dismiss prosecutor Karim Khan.

Source note: AFP news report published on 24 July 2026 at 21:00:40 UTC.

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Khan's lawyer was identified as Tayab Ali.

Ali wrote on X that Khan would challenge the lawfulness and fairness of the decision through all available legal mechanisms.

Ali said Khan has denied the accusations against him.

Source note: AFP news report published on 24 July 2026 at 20:31:37 UTC.

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A lawyer said Karim Khan will challenge his dismissal.

Source note: AFP news report published on 24 July 2026 at 20:25:28 UTC.

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Diplomatic sources said 82 of 125 ICC member states voted to remove Karim Khan.

The source says 13 states voted for Khan to stay, 15 abstained and some did not attend.

The alleged victim was described as a Malaysian lawyer who worked as Khan's direct assistant and asked to be identified by her first name, Sarah, in a CNN interview.

Paivi Kaukoranta described the case before the vote as a complex and sensitive disciplinary matter.

Khan's attorneys published an open letter on X calling on member states not to remove him and saying no wrongdoing had been proven.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Khan's removal was long-delayed and called for ICC warrants against Israeli officials to be revoked.

Former US ambassador Stephan Rapp said before the vote that he believed the evidence was sufficient to remove Khan and warned that not doing so could damage the court's credibility.

The source adds that the Trump administration announced a campaign against the ICC earlier this month, threatening more sanctions.

Source note: AFP news report published on 24 July 2026 at 19:10:01 UTC.

Update

International Criminal Court member states voted to dismiss prosecutor Karim Khan.

Diplomatic sources told AFP that more than 80 of the ICC's 125 members voted to remove Khan.

The motion required an absolute majority.

The vote followed disputed allegations that Khan sexually assaulted a female staff member.

Khan had been suspended last month by a key ICC governing body before the secret ballot.

Source note: AFP news report published on 24 July 2026 at 18:27:48 UTC.