The National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security (NCTV) has investigated a secret intelligence operation that targeted employees of the International Criminal Court in The Hague. Two private intelligence agencies from London collected privacy-sensitive information about the employees for months. Their children and other relatives were also investigated by the agencies.
The main subject of the intelligence operation was a 38-year-old lawyer from the Criminal Court. In the spring of 2024, she accused the court’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, of sexual abuse. The other employees who were targeted by the operation are also affected by the abuse case or its handling.
Documents and recordings show that private investigators looked for information that could indicate a cover-up or ties to Israel
Last December, the NCTV spoke to several Criminal Court employees about the investigation by the London agencies, four people involved confirmed. In a confidential letter to the ICC, seen by NRCthe NCTV writes that it has “forwarded information from those conversations to the intelligence services and the police”. The police are now investigating possible criminal offences. The NCTV wants against NRC say nothing about the outcome or status of the investigation. The police also do not respond to questions.
The purpose of the covert operation, as described The Guardian in November 2025, was to find information that could undermine the alleged victim’s charges. Documents and recordings show that private investigators were looking for data that could point to a cover-up, ties to Israel or the Israeli intelligence service Mossad. More than a year ago, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
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Unacceptable
“Although we currently have no indications of a physical threat,” the NCTV writes in the letter, “we are aware that the current circumstances may be intimidating or be perceived as threatening.” Criminal court employees often do sensitive work, such as assisting victims in high-profile court cases.
The alleged abuse case against the chief prosecutor has been gripping the ICC for almost two years. The United Nations investigated the allegations last year. Khan, who “categorically” denies the allegations, stepped down in May 2025 pending the investigation. In August last year, another woman came forward to accuse him of sexual misconduct. She reported her story anonymously The Guardian.
Karim Khan ‘categorically’ denies involvement in the covert intelligence operation
The Office of the ASP, which supervises the Criminal Court, is now considering the findings of the investigation. A decision is expected on June 8. If the Office concludes that Khan has committed misconduct, it will be submitted to the court’s 125 member states. They will determine in a vote whether Khan can stay in office.
The intelligence agency that led the secret operation to ICC officials, London’s Highgate, confirmed opposite NRC that did the research. According to Highgate, this was an investigation into “possible covert or inappropriate activities that may have been intended to undermine the credibility, independence or effectiveness of the ICC.” Highgate does not respond to questions about why the ICC was not informed. The agency also does not want to say who gave it the assignment and with whom it shared information.
Qatar and Khan
The ICC calls the investigation of employees by third parties “unacceptable” – as well as actions to “attack or hinder” employees. The court is working with the Netherlands on “appropriate measures”.
The Guardian concluded in November that the intelligence operation was paid for by “a diplomatic unit within the Qatari state.” Also the American newspaper The Wall Street Journal wrote last week that Qatar is behind the operation, after which the SGP asked parliamentary questions about Khan’s independence. Qatar’s media agency and the Qatari embassy in the Netherlands do not respond to questions from NRC. After publication in The GuardianQatar’s media agency called the accusations against X baseless.
Karim Khan “categorically” denies involvement in the operation. His lawyers say otherwise NRC that ‘any suggestion’ that the Chief Prosecutor was ‘in any way’ involved in or ordered such an operation is ‘completely incorrect’.
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