The governing body of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has confirmed that it is seeking an “external investigation” into allegations of sexual misconduct by the court’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan.

“Having consulted the Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP), I request, on behalf of the ASP Presidency, an external investigation into matters related to the alleged misconduct of the ICC Prosecutor,” he said. Paivi Kaukoranta, president of the ASP, the body that oversees the court, said in a statement on Monday.

Calling on all parties to cooperate fully, the statement said the external investigation “is being carried out to ensure a fully independent, impartial and fair process.”

Khan, who had previously denied the allegations, said Monday that he would continue his duties while the investigation continues.

“I appreciate the opportunity to participate in this process,” Khan, 54, said in a statement, adding that he will “continue all other duties as a prosecutor.”

Kaukoranta had issued a statement last month confirming that the ASP was investigating the allegations against Khan “based on a third-party report”.

At the time, the ASP stated that the ICC’s Independent Oversight Mechanism (IOM) had been in contact with the alleged victim but was not in a position to move forward with an investigation.

The IOM annual report, published last month, said the incident had been reported to the IOM in early May.

“The alleged affected individual refused to file a formal complaint with the IOM, even when it was suggested that any investigation could be referred to an external entity,” the report said, adding that the individual had “refused to explicitly confirm or deny to the IOM the factual basis of what was reported by the third party.”

‘Attacks and threats’

Khan has been leading the court’s prosecutions since 2021, including investigations into war crimes involving Russia and Ukraine, as well as Palestine and Israel.

In May, Khan sought arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his then defense chief and three Hamas leaders who have since been killed. The ICC has not yet made a decision on whether to grant the orders.

Khan said the allegations of misconduct align with a misinformation campaign against his office.

“This is a time when I and the International Criminal Court are subject to a wide range of attacks and threats,” Khan said in a statement last month.

Initially criticized for not acting quickly enough to prevent atrocities in Gaza, Khan set off a firestorm when he sought arrest warrants over the war.

Netanyahu called it a “moral outrage of historic proportions,” while US President Joe Biden said it was “outrageous.”

Even before Khan’s request, top American Republicans wrote a letter threatening to ban him and his family from entering the United States.

Khan also sought and obtained an ICC warrant for President Vladimir Putin of Russia, which quickly issued arrest warrants for the prosecutor himself.

The ICC is a permanent court that can prosecute people for war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and crimes of aggression committed in Member States or by their nationals.