A high-level Qatari government office reportedly hired a private intelligence firm to gather information that could discredit a woman accusing the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan, of sexual abuse. The London-based Highgate firm was also instructed to find links between the woman and Israel, but no such connections were discovered. Highgate and another firm, Elicius Intelligence, obtained sensitive personal data about the accuser and her family, including passport details and private emails, according to the Guardian.

Khan stepped aside in May as a United Nations investigation into the allegations began, and he has denied any wrongdoing. Highgate confirmed it led an operation related to the court but denied targeting any individual or being commissioned by the Qatari government. The situation has raised concerns about retaliation against staff who supported Khan's accuser and about the use of private intelligence firms in high-profile international cases.