Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has decided to suspend ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan with immediate effect following an investigation into misconduct allegations against him.

The Bureau made the decision by qualified majority late on Monday but said that the suspension is still pending the final decision of the ASP, the ICC’s management oversight and legislative body.

It is on record that Khan has been fighting abuse of office and allegations of attempted rape or solicit sex from a female member of staff in his office.

“The Bureau emphasises that this suspension is not an indication of the final outcome,” the ASP said in a statement, adding that a special session would be convened as soon as possible to consider the matter.

According to the statement, the Bureau’s decision was based on a report by the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), supporting evidence, advice from an ad hoc panel of judicial experts and written submissions from the parties involved.

However, the ASP said “the related documentation will remain confidential” and called for respect for the privacy and the rights of all parties concerned, as well as for the integrity of the ongoing process.

Khan, a British barrister, has served as the ICC Prosecutor since June 16, 2021. He announced that he would take a leave of absence pending the conclusion of an OIOS investigation into the misconduct allegations.

• A Tell Media / Xinhua report