UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The International Criminal Court’s member states voted Friday to remove Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan from office after an independent investigation found he committed serious sexual misconduct, marking the first time the court has ousted a chief prosecutor.

Khan, who has denied the allegations, was removed by a large majority of the ICC’s 125 member states following a secret ballot. He had been suspended from his duties in June after an oversight report concluded he had engaged in serious misconduct, including a sexual relationship with a female aide and efforts to discourage her from pursuing her allegations.

Khan drew international attention after seeking arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials over the war in Gaza, a move that prompted strong criticism from Israel and sanctions by the Trump administration.

The vote came after member states rejected an effort by Sierra Leone that would have made it more difficult to remove Khan. The Netherlands, France and Norway publicly backed his dismissal before the vote.

The ICC said the removal follows its internal disciplinary process as the court continues to face pressure from U.S. sanctions and criticism over its investigations.