Member states of the International Criminal Court (ICC) have voted to remove Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan following sexual misconduct allegations, according to diplomatic sources.
Reports said a majority of the court's 125 member states backed the decision during a secret vote held at United Nations headquarters in New York.
According to reports, 82 member states supported Khan's dismissal, making him the first chief prosecutor removed in the ICC's history.
Khan has consistently denied the allegations, while his legal team has vowed to challenge the decision through all available legal avenues.
His removal follows an investigation, his suspension from official duties in June, and recommendations made during the disciplinary process.
The dismissal immediately begins the process of selecting a new ICC prosecutor, although a vote is not expected before next year.
Khan's legal team argued that the dismissal ignored due process and was carried out without a lawful finding of misconduct.
Tayab Ali, head of Khan's legal team at Bindmans LLP, said the Assembly of States Parties disregarded procedural safeguards and denied Khan a fair opportunity to respond before the vote.
According to Ali, a yearlong investigation by the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services produced 137 findings but did not conclude that Khan had committed misconduct.
He also said an independent panel of three senior international judges unanimously determined that the findings did not establish misconduct or a breach of duty under the applicable legal framework.
Khan's lawyers further argued that procedural rules were altered during the disciplinary process and described the recommendation leading to the vote as politically motivated.
The legal team said it would contest the lawfulness and fairness of Khan's removal.
The vote comes amid sustained pressure on the ICC following Khan's decision in 2024 to seek arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, then-Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas leaders over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to the Gaza war.
The court later issued warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant and Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif.
Those actions prompted condemnation from Israel and the United States, with Washington later imposing sanctions on Khan and other ICC officials.
Reports also said the Trump administration declared it would seek to destroy the ICC.
Khan's removal will not affect existing ICC investigations or arrest warrants, as only ICC judges have the authority to withdraw or amend them.
Deputy prosecutors have overseen the prosecution office during Khan's suspension.