ICC prosecutor's alleged victim 'was spied on'

The woman who has accused the prosecutor of the international criminal court of sexual abuse has been targeted by private intelligence firms as part of a covert operation said to have taken place on behalf of Qatar.

- Exclusive Harry Davies Henry Dyer Robert Flummerfelt

The Guardian can reveal details of the intrusive operation, which has obtained sensitive information about the woman, who works at the ICC, and her family members. According to leaked files seen by the Guardian and people familiar with the operation, one firm sought her passport details and other sensitive information, including about her child.

A core aim of the intelligence firms was to find evidence that could be used to undermine her credibility and the abuse claims she made against the ICC prosecutor, Karim Khan.

Khan, a prominent British lawyer, has denied the abuse allegations, and people close to him have suggested the claims are part of an Israel-backed smear campaign in response to his decision in 2024 to obtain an arrest warrant for the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.

The private intelligence operation was led by Highgate, a discreet company based in Mayfair, London. It describes itself as a "strategic advisory firm" that advises chief executives and political leaders to manage "high-stakes issues".

Working with at least one other firm, Highgate sought to establish connections between the woman and Israel. However, documents seen by the Guardian suggest no such evidence was found.

People familiar with activities of the private intelligence firms said its operation had been commissioned by a high-level diplomatic unit within the Qatari state.

Khan's alleged victim told the Guardian she was appalled by the "disturbing" operation. "The idea that private intelligence firms have been instructed to target me is as incomprehensible as it is heartbreaking." In a statement to the Guardian, Highgate confirmed it had worked on an operation related to the ICC but said it had not "acted against any individual". It denied the project was paid or commissioned by the "government of Qatar".