Morocco Denies Spying on French President Macron Amid Pegasus Software Allegations

"Morocco has categorically denied the acquisition of this software several months ago. In June 2020, Amnesty International had accused us of monitoring journalists in Morocco using such an application. The head of government had already refuted such facts and asked in a letter addressed to the NGO to provide the evidence that would support its accusations. A request that remained unanswered," explained the Moroccan diplomat in an interview with the Journal du Dimanche.

According to the investigation by Forbidden Stories and its partners, the Moroccan intelligence services targeted 10,000 numbers, including the French president, using the Pegasus spyware. "Morocco did not spy on President Emmanuel Macron. It did not spy on the former Prime Minister or members of the government either. Moreover, no element corroborates this," assured Chakib Benmoussa, stressing that relations between the two countries are not suffering from any ambiguity.

"The relationship between France and Morocco is special, built on history, on extremely strong human and cultural ties, on common interests. It is an exceptional relationship but also a relationship that is renewed in the light of developments in each of the two countries and new challenges. I understand that some actors are offended... ", he said, adding that there are hostile networks to Morocco in France and elsewhere, who are in a logic of destabilization. He points the finger at certain actors who consider the kingdom as an enemy.

"We also note a particular timing, deplored the Moroccan diplomat. Elements available a year ago are resurfacing today, in a coordinated manner, as the Throne Feast [anniversary of the king’s accession on July 30, 1999] approaches, as the legislative, regional and local elections approach, in a context where Morocco is making progress on many subjects. This may not please." "In this story, Morocco is a victim," he notes, stressing that the listing of 50,000 numbers that would have been subject to an intrusion or an attempted intrusion is incoherent, since the NSO group claims that it does not hold a listing.