Morocco’s Security Chief Under Scrutiny in Pegasus Spyware Scandal

22 July 2021 – bySylvanus@Bladi · 2 min read

Since the allegations of espionage against Morocco have been making headlines in the French press, Abdellatif Hammouchi, Director General of National Security, also Director General of Territorial Surveillance, has been pointed to. Rightly or wrongly?

The investigation by Forbidden Stories and its partners has not so far named Abdellatif Hammouchi, but the man is already being pointed to. The Moroccan security services he is in charge of are accused of having targeted the phone of President Emmanuel Macron, members of the French government, elected officials, activists, French, Moroccan and Algerian journalists.

Can he really be designated as the intellectual mastermind of the espionage? France info lists some elements that could support the accusation’s thesis. The newspaper states that the head of the National Security in Morocco is "an adept of new technologies, and has long improved the security apparatus of the kingdom". It talks about the meteoric rise of a man who "has climbed the ranks of the police with astonishing speed to occupy a central position in the security apparatus of the kingdom" and his prowess. It describes a cautious, discreet man considered as "the first centurion of the royal palace".

In 2015, Abdellatif Hammouchi created the Central Bureau of Judicial Investigation (BCIJ). A security service dedicated to the fight against terrorism. Would he have used the Pegasus software designed to fight crime and terrorism? To date, the Moroccan FBI has dismantled 84 terrorist cells in the kingdom. Feats that could raise questions.

Category: Morocco

Keywords:

General Directorate of National Security Espionage Abdellatif Hammouchi General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance