France ’Shocked’ by Claims Morocco Spied on Reporters

By Staff, Agencies

France said it was outraged on Monday over claims that Morocco's intelligence services used ‘Israeli’ malware to spy on dozens of French journalists, calling revelations in the media "extremely shocking."

A joint investigation by several Western media outlets revealed Sunday that numerous activists, journalists, executives and politicians around the world had been spied on using cellphone malware developed by Israeli firm NSO.

The investigation showed Morocco among a dozen countries that used the software Pegasus, with Rabat allegedly spying on critics of the kingdom both in Morocco and in former colonial power France.

"These are extremely shocking acts and, if proven, are extremely serious," government spokesman Gabriel Attal told French public radio.

Among those targeted was the French investigative news site Mediapart and the satirical weekly Canard Enchaine, both of which have reported on rights abuses in Morocco.

They announced on Monday that they planned to file criminal complaints over the alleged intrusions.