Spanish PM and Defense Minister’s Phones Hacked with Pegasus Spyware, Morocco Suspected

Sanchez’s phone was hacked in May and June 2021, and Robles’ in June of the same year. A significant amount of data, 2.6 GB in May and 130 MB in June, was extracted from the Spanish prime minister’s phone, and 9 MB from the defense minister’s, reports El Pais. For now, the government has no idea what information was hacked or how sensitive it was.

To read: Report: Morocco Used Pegasus Spyware to Uncover Polisario Leader’s Secret Spain Visit

The Minister of the Presidency, Félix Bolaños, denounced this espionage using the Israeli software Pegasus, without however accusing a state or an organization, simply noting that they are "external, that is to say foreign to the state agencies and illegal, that is to say carried out without judicial authorization". But in reality, eyes could be turned to Morocco, which was accused, in the recent past, of spying on several personalities like French President Emmanuel Macron. Moreover, this happened at the worst moments in relations between the two countries.

To read: Morocco Denies Pegasus Spyware Use, Takes Legal Action Against Spanish Accusers

The Attorney General’s Office filed a complaint against unknown persons with the High National Court on Monday. The government assures that, according to the latest report from the National Cryptology Center (CCN) under the CNI which guarantees the security of communications of senior officials, Sanchez’s and Robles’ phones have not been hacked since last June. Nevertheless, the Spanish government has decided to strengthen its security systems.