UN probes sexual misconduct against ICC prosecutor

International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan will be allowed to stay on in his role at the world's permanent war crimes tribunal during a UN-led investigation into his alleged sexual misconduct, sources told Reuters on Friday.

The UN's Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), which is leading the inquiry, has started contacting witnesses, a source with direct knowledge of the investigation said. Khan denies the allegations. He has said he will cooperate with an inquiry and that matters relating to the misconduct allegations will be dealt with by his two deputies.

Khan's office and lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A diplomatic source, who also spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a confidential investigation, said the court's governing body wanted the inquiry concluded quickly to limit its impact on several major cases before the Hague-based institution.

The ICC's governing body said last month that it would seek an external investigation into the allegations, "to ensure a fully independent, impartial and fair process".

The ICC is a permanent court that can prosecute individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and the crime of aggression in member states or by their nationals.