The International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor Karim Khan has been suspended pending a vote by member states on his fate, the court’s governing body said Monday, following a probe into accusations of sexual harassment made against him.

A diplomatic source briefed on the decision told Reuters the court’s governing body’s executive bureau has ruled Khan, 56, had committed serious misconduct following an 18-month-long probe into accusations that the prosecutor had non-consensual sexual interactions with a female aide in his office. The source added that the bureau has recommended the prosecutor should be removed from office.

The ICC’s governing body will send its conclusion on to all 125 ICC member states, which will vote on Khan’s fate in a special session. His removal will require a majority in a secret ballot, with sixty-three countries needing to support a measure to remove him.

In a press release, the bureau confirmed it made a decision on the disciplinary proceedings against Khan and referred the matter to the Assembly of States Parties — which will be convened as soon as possible to discuss the case, but did not give details about what it decided.

“The decision of the bureau and the related documentation will remain confidential,” the press release........

© The Times of Israel