Member states of the International Criminal Court (ICC) voted by a majority on Friday to remove chief prosecutor Karim Khan over misconduct claims, during a special session at the United Nations headquarters in New York City.
According to diplomatic sources, 82 out of the court's 125 members voted by a secret ballot to dismiss the prosecutor, surpassing the absolute majority threshold (63) needed for removal.
Thirteen voted against removal, while 15 abstained.
The President of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP), Paivi Kaukoranta, confirmed the vote results in a statement to assembly members broadcast live on UN Web TV.
She said the 82 states voted that "the elected official... committed serious misconduct and a serious breach of duty" by engaging in "prohibited conduct against a subordinate staff member".
It is the first time in the ICC's 24-year history that member states have voted to remove a sitting chief prosecutor from office.
The removal decision takes immediate effect, and elections for a new prosecutor will follow.
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