{
  "id": 123431,
  "title": "ICC states decision on Karim Khan ‘inherently political’, says leading criminal law expert",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/04/icc-states-decision-on-karim-khan-inherently-political-says-leading",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-04T09:52:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Middle East Eye",
    "slug": "middle-east-eye",
    "url": "https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/icc-states-decision-karim-khan-inherently-political-says-law-expert"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "International Criminal Court (ICC) lawyer William Schabas has expressed concern over the independence of the next prosecutor following the controversial removal of Karim Khan. The Assembly of States Parties (ASP), the governing body of the ICC, voted on July 24 to dismiss Khan after deciding that he committed serious misconduct and a breach of duty. This decision was based on a recommendation from the 21-member ASP bureau, which disregarded the conclusion of a three-judge panel appointed by the bureau, which found no wrongdoing based on the UN fact-finding investigation. Schabas criticized the ASP's decision as inherently political and inconsistent with due process, noting that the process was \"politicised\" and lacking proper judicial determination. He also pointed out that the ASP's decision did not clearly identify the specific acts that constituted \"serious misconduct\" and \"serious breach of duty.\" Schabas emphasized that the decision to remove Khan could have significant implications for the ICC's future and the independence of future prosecutors.",
  "summary": "ICC states decision on Karim Khan ‘inherently political’, says leading criminal law expert Submitted by Sondos Asem on Mon, 08/03/2026 - 13:52 William Schabas voices concern over the future of International Criminal Court and independence of next prosecutor The Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute gathers in New York on 24 July to vote on Karim Khan's removal (Reuters) Off International…",
  "key_points": [
    "ICC lawyer William Schabas criticizes decision to remove Karim Khan as inherently political.",
    "Schabas calls ASP's process politicized and lacking proper judicial determination."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}