Overview
- The Guardian reports that Qatar paid Highgate, a London-based consultancy, to run an operation to delegitimize the primary woman accusing ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan of sexual misconduct.
- Internal materials cited in the reporting indicate Highgate hired Elicius Intelligence to gather passport and flight records, relationship and financial details, and the birth certificate of the accuser’s minor child.
- Project instructions reportedly told staff not to name the state client in written reports, and efforts sought to link the woman to Israel to undermine her credibility.
- Highgate denies the allegations, and Khan’s lawyers acknowledge meeting Highgate consultants but say they were unaware of any spying on the accuser.
- Khan remains self-suspended as a disciplinary probe has been widened to include a second complaint, and prior coverage noted his Israel warrant announcements followed the first accusation by three weeks.