Pegasus case: Media accusations and stark contradictions surround Morocco

Moroccan security services are once again facing media accusations of using the Israeli spyware "Pegasus" to target journalists, dissidents, and politicians, both Moroccan and foreign, including French and Spanish officials. Despite the Moroccan Kingdom's firm and categorical denial of owning or using such software, and its pursuit of defamation lawsuits in French and Spanish courts, some investigations continue to point fingers at Morocco. These accusations often rely on testimonies, such as that of a former intelligence agent named "Sfeer." In the summer of 2021, French political and media circles were rocked by the "Pegasus affair," with French media and rights groups leveling serious accusations against Morocco, claiming Rabat used the software to hack the phones of prominent French figures. These allegations marked a sharp turn in the historical relations between Rabat and Paris. Similarly, some Spanish media and political circles, particularly from the right-wing opposition and separatist factions, accused Morocco of hacking the phones of high-ranking Spanish officials. The announcement in May 2022 that the phones of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Defense Minister Margarita Robles, and Interior Minister were targeted sent shockwaves through political circles, fueling media speculation and analysis that extended the issue beyond its technical dimension to sensitive geopolitical implications. However, a closer examination of recent reports reveals stark contradictions that raise serious questions about the credibility of the narrative. One significant contradiction concerns the funding source. "Sfeer" claims the United Arab Emirates fully financed the acquisition of "Pegasus" for distribution to allied agencies. This contradicts statements from a former employee of the software's manufacturer, NSO, and another tech sector source, who told investigators they were unaware of any payments made by the UAE to Morocco. This discrepancy weakens the core narrative about how Moroccan agencies obtained the technology. Another contradiction arises from the alleged French victims' reactions. While investigations claim the software targeted French ministers, including former Defense Minister Florence Parly, her testimony to an investigating judge in April 2026 added to the confusion. She stated she had no recollection of the matter and had no doubts about any intelligence agency or state being behind the alleged targeting. The Spanish government handled the affair cautiously, avoiding official accusations against Morocco. Ultimately, the Spanish National Court dismissed the case and officially closed the investigation in July 2023, citing a lack of concrete evidence or intelligence reports linking the breaches to a specific foreign entity and the refusal of Israeli authorities to cooperate.

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