What next for the ICC and the Palestine investigation after Karim Khan's removal?
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has removed its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, over misconduct claims. This leaves the Palestine investigation stalled, with two sanctioned deputies in charge, and facing an election to choose Khan's successor.
Intelligence analysis by Llama

The ICC's removal of chief prosecutor Karim Khan has left the Palestine investigation stalled, with two sanctioned deputies in charge, and facing an election to choose Khan's successor. The court's office of the prosecutor has released a statement saying that its work will continue without interruption.
The International Criminal Court has removed its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, over misconduct claims. This means that the Palestine investigation is now stalled, and two other people are in charge. The court says it will keep working, but it's not clear what will happen next.
Analysis
The Karim Khan Saga: A Timeline of Events
Karim Khan's removal as ICC chief prosecutor has been a long time coming. The 18-month disciplinary process that led to his dismissal has been described as politicised by Palestinian rights groups, former judges, and Khan's lawyers. Khan has denied any wrongdoing, but the vote to remove him has opened several questions about the fate of the Palestine investigation and who will be elected to replace him.
What Happens to the Palestine Investigation?
Following the removal vote, the ICC's office of the prosecutor released a statement saying that its work would continue without interruption. However, the court's removal of Khan has left the Palestine investigation stalled, with two sanctioned deputies in charge, and facing an election to choose Khan's successor. The court has more than a dozen active situations, including Ukraine, Darfur, Libya, and Afghanistan.
Will US Sanctions on Khan be Lifted?
This remains uncertain. Nothing in the executive order provides for automatic removal on leaving office, and the current administration has shown no indication that it intends to lift the sanctions. The US State Department has not responded to a request from MEE for comment on the matter.
The Road Ahead
The removal of Karim Khan as ICC chief prosecutor has significant implications for the Palestine investigation and the future of the court. It raises questions about the fate of the investigation and who will be elected to replace Khan. The court's office of the prosecutor has released a statement saying that its work will continue without interruption, but the future of the investigation remains uncertain.
Key points
- The ICC has removed its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, over misconduct claims.
- The Palestine investigation is now stalled, with two sanctioned deputies in charge.
- The court's office of the prosecutor has released a statement saying that its work will continue without interruption.
- The election of a new chief prosecutor may bring a fresh perspective to the investigation.
- The future of the investigation remains uncertain.
The removal of Karim Khan as ICC chief prosecutor may lead to a more transparent and accountable investigation into the Palestine situation. The court's office of the prosecutor has released a statement saying that its work will continue without interruption, and the election of a new chief prosecutor may bring a fresh perspective to the investigation.
The removal of Karim Khan as ICC chief prosecutor may lead to a delay in the Palestine investigation, as the court's office of the prosecutor is now led by two sanctioned deputies. The election of a new chief prosecutor may also be contentious, and the future of the investigation remains uncertain.


