A woman who accused the International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor of sexual abuse was secretly targeted by private intelligence firms.
The covert operation allegedly acted on behalf of Qatar, according to leaked documents obtained by The Guardian.
Investigators reportedly sought her passport details, family information, and data about her child to discredit her claims.
Sources say the mission aimed to find anything that could undermine her credibility or link her to Israel.
The accused prosecutor, Karim Khan, denies all allegations and calls them part of a politically motivated smear campaign.
People close to Khan claim Israel orchestrated the claims after he sought arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu in 2024.
The London-based intelligence firm Highgate led the operation, describing itself as a “strategic advisory” company for global elites.
Working with another firm, Highgate allegedly investigated the woman’s ties to Israel but found none.
Leaked files suggest a diplomatic unit within Qatar commissioned the surveillance effort.
The woman said she was horrified, calling the spying “disturbing, incomprehensible, and heartbreaking.”
Highgate confirmed working on an ICC-related project but denied acting against any individual or receiving payment from Qatar.
Sources claim other ICC officials were also targeted in the operation, deepening the court’s internal crisis.
Khan’s tenure as ICC prosecutor has been rocked by controversy since the abuse allegations surfaced last year.
The accuser, a lawyer in her 30s, worked directly for Khan and described repeated coercive and abusive encounters.
The alleged misconduct reportedly occurred in hotel rooms, at the ICC office, and at Khan’s home.
A UN watchdog is currently investigating the claims, with Khan stepping aside pending the inquiry’s outcome.
Another woman later accused Khan of mistreatment during her time as an unpaid intern.
Khan’s lawyers insist he “categorically denies” wrongdoing and claims he is the victim of a smear campaign.
The Guardian found no evidence that Khan personally directed the spying but confirmed his representatives met with Highgate.
The revelations expose a growing power struggle around the ICC and raise fears of global interference in justice.
