ICC Prosecutor Khan Suspended After Abuse Claims
The Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute announced the suspension, confirming that Khan's case would be brought before all 125 member states. The findings of the UN inquiry, conducted by the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), have been withheld from public view.
"The assessment of the Bureau was based on the report of an investigation undertaken 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 in a statement.
The body gave no indication of when proceedings would conclude, adding only that confidentiality would be strictly maintained throughout. "The decision of the Bureau and the related documentation will remain confidential. 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," it added.
A full session of the assembly to address the matter is expected to be convened "as soon as possible," the bureau said.
Khan, who stepped back from his duties in May 2025 as the UN inquiry unfolded, has consistently rejected the allegations against him. In April, he declared that he had been "exonerated," and pressed for an immediate return to his post.
In an interview with Zeteo, Khan maintained that the investigation uncovered no wrongdoing on his part, insisting the findings fully vindicated him. "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 characterized as inappropriate in any way, shape or form," he said.
His position drew some support in March, when a panel of three judges unanimously issued an advisory opinion concluding that the UN investigation results "do not establish misconduct or a breach of duty under the relevant legal framework," according to Middle East Eye.
The investigation was first set in motion in November 2024, after a member of Khan's own staff accused him of sexual misconduct — a charge that gained further weight last August when a second woman came forward, alleging that the prosecutor had exploited his authority over her during her time working under him.
The allegations surfaced at a particularly sensitive moment for the ICC. At the time, Khan's office was deep in an investigation into alleged war crimes and genocide committed by Israeli officials and military forces in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories. In May 2024, Khan had announced his intention to seek arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his then-defense minister Yoav Gallant, citing their alleged "criminal responsibility" for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
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