Algeria Condemns Morocco’s Alleged Use of Pegasus Spyware in Diplomatic Row

New reaction following the revelations on the Pegasus software. In a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Community Abroad, "Algeria expresses its deep concern following the revelations emanating from a consortium of many renowned professional media outlets reporting on the large-scale use by the authorities of certain countries, and in particular by the Kingdom of Morocco, of a spyware called +Pegasus+ against Algerian officials and citizens, as well as journalists and human rights defenders around the world."

According to the investigation carried out by Forbidden Stories and its partners, [more than 6,000 Algerian numbers] would have been hacked by the Moroccan client of the Israeli company NSO Group and user of the Pegasus spyware. "Algeria vigorously condemns this inadmissible systematic violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms, which also constitutes a flagrant violation of the principles and standards governing international relations," adds the same source. In the eyes of Algiers, "this illegal, unwelcome and dangerous practice jeopardizes the climate of trust that must preside over exchanges and interactions between the officials and representatives of States."

"Being directly concerned by these attacks, Algeria reserves the right to implement its retaliation strategy and is ready to participate in any international effort aimed at collectively establishing the facts and shedding light on the materiality and extent of these crimes that threaten international peace and security, as well as human security," continues the Algerian ministry, stating that any impunity would constitute an extremely damaging precedent for the conduct of friendly relations and cooperation between States in accordance with international law.