The Hague, Netherlands — October 14, 2025. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has formally disqualified Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan from overseeing the crimes against humanity case involving former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, following a finding of a potential conflict of interest, according to a court document released Tuesday.
In a decision cited by Reuters, the ICC Appeals Chamber ruled that Khan’s involvement could compromise the integrity of the investigation. The disqualification reportedly stemmed from Khan’s previous legal work connected to individuals linked to the Philippines before assuming his role as ICC Prosecutor in 2021.
The disqualification comes as part of the ongoing ICC probe into Duterte’s controversial anti-drug campaign, which has faced global criticism for alleged extrajudicial killings and human rights violations. The investigation seeks to determine whether crimes against humanity were committed during the height of the “war on drugs.”
Following the ruling, the ICC stated that a new prosecutor from its Office of the Prosecutor will be assigned to take over the Duterte case to uphold impartiality and transparency in the proceedings.
The Philippines formally withdrew from the ICC in 2019, but the court maintains jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed before the withdrawal took effect in March of that year. The Duterte administration had repeatedly rejected ICC jurisdiction, calling the investigation “politically motivated.”
As of press time, the ICC has yet to name Khan’s replacement.