THE HAGUE, Netherlands: International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan has been suspended from his duties and referred for disciplinary proceedings before all 125 member states of the Rome Statute, the ICC's governing body announced Monday, following the conclusion of a United Nations investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against him.
The Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties said the decision was based on a report by the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), the underlying evidence, the advice of an ad hoc panel of judicial experts, and written submissions. The bureau said the results of the investigation will not be made public.
"The decision of the Bureau and the related documentation will remain confidential," the bureau said in a statement. "The Bureau continues to call for due respect for the privacy and the rights of all parties concerned, as well as for the integrity of the ongoing process."
A full session of the Assembly of States Parties, involving all 125 member states, is expected to be convened "as soon as possible" to take up the matter.
Khan, who went on leave in May 2025 amid the UN investigation, has maintained that he has done nothing wrong. In an interview with the Zeteo news outlet in April, he said the inquiry found no misconduct or abuse of authority and that he should be permitted to return to work.
"I've read the UN report. I've read the findings of the judges. And in the UN report, there are 137 findings. Not one of those findings makes determinations or makes findings of conduct that could be characterised as inappropriate in any way, shape or form," Khan said.
In March, a panel of three judges unanimously concluded in an advisory opinion that the UN investigation results "do not establish misconduct or a breach of duty under the relevant legal framework," according to reporting by Middle East Eye.
The investigation was first commissioned in November 2024 by the head of the Assembly of States Parties after a member of Khan's office accused him of sexual misconduct. A second woman later came forward in August 2024, alleging that Khan had abused his authority over her while she was working under him.
