Pegasus Spyware: A former member of Morocco’s domestic intelligence service has alleged that Moroccan authorities used Pegasus spyware to monitor journalists, human rights activists and senior government officials in Europe.

The claims form part of a multinational investigation led by Moroccan journalist Hicham Mansouri. Forbidden Stories coordinated the project with 14 international media organisations and technical support from Amnesty International’s Security Lab.

The whistleblower, identified by the pseudonym Safir, said Morocco’s Direction Générale de la Surveillance du Territoire (DGST) began using Pegasus in 2017. He claimed the agency continued the surveillance programme for about four years.

Pegasus, developed by Israel-based NSO Group, allows operators to access messages, emails, photos and other data on mobile phones. The software can also activate a phone’s microphone and camera.

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NSO Group says it sells Pegasus only to governments to fight terrorism and serious crime. However, investigators and rights groups have repeatedly accused several governments of using the software against journalists, political opponents and activists.

According to the investigation, NSO representatives demonstrated Pegasus to senior Moroccan intelligence officials during a meeting in Rabat in 2017. The whistleblower said officials quickly recognised the software’s surveillance capabilities.

The investigation also alleges that Morocco selected hundreds of mobile phone numbers for surveillance. The reported targets included journalists, human rights defenders, French politicians, Spanish cabinet ministers and police officers.

Investigators said Pegasus records showed more than 200 Spanish mobile numbers had been selected for surveillance by the operator believed to be Morocco.

Spain confirmed in 2022 that Pegasus infected the phones of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Defence Minister Margarita Robles in 2021. Authorities later found evidence that targeted the phones of Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska and Agriculture Minister Luis Planas.

The reported surveillance took place during a diplomatic dispute between Spain and Morocco over Spain’s decision to provide medical treatment to the Polisario Front leader.

The investigation also cited court documents, leaked records and testimony from former intelligence officers. Amnesty International’s Security Lab analysed digital evidence that supported key parts of the findings.

Morocco has repeatedly denied using Pegasus against critics or foreign officials. The government has also denied having an improper relationship with NSO Group.

The investigation found no evidence that Morocco continued using Pegasus after late 2021. NSO Group, the Moroccan government, the UAE authorities and other parties received requests for comment.