Revealed: An spy operation connected to Qatar targets the purported victim of an ICC prosecutor

A woman who accused the International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor of sexual abuse has been targeted by private intelligence firms in a covert operation orchestrated by Qatar.

According to leaked files seen by The Guardian and people familiar with the operation, a firm sought her passport details and other sensitive information, including information about her child.

The intelligence firm's primary objective was to find evidence that could be used to undermine her credibility and the claims of abuse she made against ICC prosecutor Karim Khan.

Khan, a prominent British lawyer, has denied the allegations of misconduct, and those close to him say they are part of an Israeli-backed smear campaign being waged in response to his decision to obtain an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in 2024.

The private intelligence operation was led by Highgate, a secretive company based in London's Mayfair district. The company describes itself as a "strategic advisory firm" that advises CEOs and political leaders on managing "high-stakes issues."

In collaboration with at least one other firm, Highgate attempted to establish a link between the woman and Israel. However, documents seen by the Guardian show that no such evidence was found.

People familiar with the private intelligence firm's activities said the operation was conducted by a high-level diplomatic unit within the state of Qatar.

Khan's alleged victim told the Guardian that she was shocked by the "disturbing" campaign. "The idea that private intelligence firms have been instructed to target me is as heartbreaking as it is incomprehensible."

In a statement to the Guardian, Highgate confirmed that it had worked on an ICC-related operation, but said it "did not take action against any individual." He denied that he had been paid or commissioned by the "Qatar government" for the project.

Details of a Qatari entity's apparent involvement in this espionage operation—which also appears to have targeted other ICC officials—are the latest twist in the case involving the prosecutor, plunging the court into an unprecedented crisis.

Khan's decision to seek warrants against Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Galant for alleged crimes in Gaza has put him and the court under fire from the US and Israel.

Allegations of misconduct have further complicated his tenure as prosecutor. He has stepped down pending a UN investigation into his conduct.

The Guardian has found no evidence that Khan had any personal involvement in the operation. However, people familiar with the operation said that Highgate met with Khan's representatives, raising questions about the purpose of the meeting.

A Turbulent Year

Late last year, Khan's tenure as ICC prosecutor was thrown into turmoil when allegations of misconduct by a court employee became public. The woman, a lawyer in her 30s, worked directly for him.

Her claims include allegations of coercive sexual behaviour and abuse of authority. The alleged sexual misconduct occurred in hotel rooms during work trips, in Khan's office at the ICC, and at his home.

A UN watchdog is investigating her claims. In August, The Guardian reported that a second woman had come forward to the investigation, alleging that Khan had abused her while she was working for him as an unpaid intern early in her career.

Khan's lawyers have repeatedly stated that he "categorically denies" abusing anyone and claimed that prosecutors have been "the subject of a systematic campaign" to discredit him.

While the Guardian is aware of attempts by pro-Israel figures to leak information about the ICC employee's complaint, it has found no evidence to suggest that the woman made allegations against the prosecutor as part of a conspiracy.