New evidence has emerged in the ongoing Pegasus spyware scandal, linking Moroccan authorities to the surveillance of journalists and human rights activists. The revelations, based on a forensic analysis of devices, indicate that the NSO Group's spyware was used to target at least 10 individuals, including prominent critics of the Moroccan government.
The investigation, conducted by a consortium of media outlets, found that the spyware was deployed against targets such as journalist Omar Radi and activist Maati Monjib. The Moroccan government has consistently denied any involvement in the misuse of Pegasus, but the new evidence suggests a pattern of surveillance aimed at silencing dissent.
NSO Group, the Israeli company behind Pegasus, has stated that it only sells the software to vetted governments for counterterrorism and crime prevention. However, the latest findings raise questions about the company's oversight mechanisms and the potential for abuse by state actors.
The European Parliament has called for an investigation into the use of Pegasus within the EU, and several countries have launched their own probes. The scandal has strained diplomatic relations between Morocco and its European partners, particularly France and Germany.
