As France endeavors to mend its diplomatic relationship with Morocco, which has been marred by years of tension, a startling new investigation has emerged. This report claims that Moroccan intelligence has been utilizing Israeli-made Pegasus spyware to surveil senior French officials. The findings come at a crucial time as French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu visits Morocco, aiming to bolster cooperation on security issues and other mutual interests.
The investigation carried out by the Forbidden Stories journalism consortium reveals that Morocco has allegedly continued its use of the Pegasus spyware to monitor French ministers, despite France briefly considering the acquisition of similar surveillance technology in 2020. President Emmanuel Macron reportedly rejected this move to avoid dependence on foreign technological solutions. The recent allegations raise significant questions regarding the transparency and sincerity of discussions between France and Morocco, particularly concerning sensitive security matters.
Journalist Laurent Richard, the founder of Forbidden Stories, emphasized that the latest revelations indicate a systematic pattern of surveillance by Morocco, targeting not only political opponents but also journalists and dissenting voices, both domestically and internationally. The investigation, supported by testimonies from a former Moroccan intelligence officer, asserts that there is newfound evidence of Morocco's extensive surveillance operations against dissidents and journalists, utilizing Pegasus spyware. This follows earlier claims made by Forbidden Stories in 2021, which first reported that prominent figures such as President Macron were potential targets of this invasive technology.
Furthermore, the investigation has uncovered forensic evidence suggesting that at least seven French ministers, including Lecornu, who was reportedly targeted in 2019, have had their phones compromised by Pegasus. Richard stated, "The prime minister's own phone was infected by Pegasus," highlighting the severity of the situation. Additionally, French intelligence documents reviewed by the consortium indicate that Morocco has been employing Pegasus since at least 2017, raising alarms about the implications for national security.
In response to the allegations, Morocco has consistently denied using Pegasus for espionage, previously filing a defamation complaint in 2021 and demanding proof for the most recent claims. Paris has remained largely silent on the issue, leaving uncertainty about whether it has sought assurances from Morocco regarding future surveillance practices. The investigation's findings suggest that the usage of Pegasus extends beyond monitoring political figures; it has also targeted journalists, human rights advocates, and activists, contributing to widespread human rights violations.
Richard elaborated on the capabilities of Pegasus, describing it as one of the most advanced spyware tools available. Once installed, it can covertly access messages, activate cameras and microphones, and monitor encrypted communications without the user's awareness. The implications of this technology's use are profound, particularly for journalists and activists who are essential to a functioning democracy. The case of imprisoned Moroccan journalist Omar Radi, whose phone was reportedly subjected to surveillance, exemplifies the risks faced by those in the media. Amnesty International has previously raised alarms about the global ramifications of Pegasus, warning that it has been employed by various governments to infringe upon the rights of journalists and activists, enabling widespread human rights abuses.
As reported by rfi.fr.
