ICC member states to hold secret vote Friday on permanently removing chief prosecutor amid scandal

Member nations of the International Criminal Court are set to hold a secret vote on Friday over whether to permanently remove the court’s chief prosecutor, according to a report this week by The Washington Times, as the ICC’s internal crisis moves toward a decisive personnel step.

The vote, planned by ICC member states, comes as the court faces an unusually bruising controversy involving the chief prosecutor, with the dispute reportedly dragging on long enough to raise questions about how much additional strain the process is placing on an institution already struggling to maintain credibility and operational momentum.

The Washington Times described the situation as an “embattled” scandal that has contributed to widening concern among member states about the harm done to the ICC, not only to its public standing but also to the stability of its leadership at a time when its core mandate depends on confidence in the tribunal’s procedures.

The report characterized the upcoming ballot as part of a broader effort by member states to address the dispute through the ICC framework, rather than leaving the leadership question unresolved or subject to continued escalation inside the court’s governance machinery.

Because the decision is scheduled to be made via a secret vote, individual positions by member states are expected to remain confidential until the outcome is finalized, a process intended to reduce external pressure while member governments consider whether the allegations and conduct at issue rise to the threshold required for permanent removal.

The Washington Times report said the dispute has already inflicted damage on the ICC, implying that the coming decision will not only determine the chief prosecutor’s future but also report what member states are willing to tolerate in terms of institutional leadership and compliance with the court’s norms.

If member states proceed with permanent removal, the ICC will need to manage the transition in a way that preserves continuity in ongoing investigations and prosecutions, while also addressing broader questions raised by the scandal about accountability and governance inside the court. If removal is not approved, the vote would still mark a turning point by forcing member states to publicly consolidate their position through the ICC’s formal process, even if individual stances remain undisclosed until after the ballot.