Morocco’s Alleged Pegasus Spying on French Officials Strains Diplomatic Ties

Revelations about the probable use of the Israeli Pegasus software in Morocco continue to make headlines in the French press. RFI wonders if this affair could strain relations between Morocco and France. The latter is avoiding rushing to judgment. It wants to first make sure the facts are proven before issuing a condemnation. The Élysée is, for now, playing the card of caution and is following what is happening in Israel, Pegasus being the property of the Israeli startup, NSO.

For its part, Morocco has filed a defamation lawsuit in Paris against Amnesty International and Forbidden Stories, the source of the espionage allegations against the kingdom. Even before this lawsuit, the presidency of the public prosecutor’s office gave written instructions to the Attorney General of the King near the Court of Appeal of Rabat to open a judicial investigation into these false allegations and accusations and to identify the parties behind their publication. Rabat has rejected the allegations and denounced a false, massive and malicious media campaign.

According to the French media, France "has no interest in pushing for a diplomatic rift with a friendly country like Morocco, with which bilateral relations are very strong, particularly in the exchange of intelligence services." It recalls that Rabat has provided and still provides a lot of information to France in the fight against terrorism.