Pegasus Scandal : Spanish Court Dismisses Morocco Case Against Journalist Ignacio Cembrero
In a resounding judicial blow to Morocco, the Spanish judiciary has dismissed an appeal filed by Rabat against journalist Ignacio Cembrero and confirmed Moroccan intelligence’s responsibility for using the notorious Zionist spyware “Pegasus” to hack the mobile phones of political and media figures in Spain.
Cembrero, a central figure in the Pegasus scandal, announced the court’s decision on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, via a post on his X account. The Madrid Provincial Court rejected Morocco’s defamation lawsuit against him, upheld a previous ruling by Madrid’s Court No. 72 issued in March 2023, and ordered Rabat to bear the legal costs.
Judiciary Denounces Morocco’s Claims
The court’s 12-page ruling, authored by a panel of three judges, reaffirmed that Morocco’s accusations lacked merit, highlighting that public entities like the Kingdom of Morocco cannot claim the right to personal honor under Spanish or European law. This principle renders the alleged defamation claim against Cembrero invalid.
The journalist has long accused Moroccan intelligence of hacking his personal phone using Pegasus spyware in retaliation for his critical reporting on Rabat’s human rights violations and suppression of free speech. Investigations conducted by leading international media outlets and human rights organizations under the Forbidden Stories initiative corroborated his claims. These investigations unveiled a sweeping espionage campaign targeting thousands of individuals, including European officials, activists, and journalists across France, Spain, Belgium, Algeria, and even Moroccan opposition figures and Sahrawi activists.
A Scandal of International Proportions
The court acknowledged evidence of widespread illegal surveillance facilitated by Pegasus. The spyware was employed to infiltrate the phones of prominent figures, including French President Emmanuel Macron, 14 of his ministers, European Council President Charles Michel, and numerous human rights activists and journalists.
In its judgment, the court referenced widespread outrage sparked by these revelations, which were initially made public by a consortium of 17 leading newspapers worldwide on July 18, 2021. These findings provoked strong reactions from the European Union, various governments, and global media outlets, intensifying international scrutiny of Morocco’s actions.
A Pattern of Legal Defeats for Rabat
This is not the first time Morocco has suffered legal setbacks in its attempts to refute accusations of espionage. In France, similar defamation cases filed by Morocco against Le Monde, Mediapart, France Info, and Amnesty International France were dismissed. French courts rejected Morocco’s appeals, most recently in September 2024, further tarnishing Rabat’s credibility.
Morocco’s reliance on legal avenues to defend its reputation in the face of mounting evidence has repeatedly failed, with courts across Europe siding with investigative findings and journalistic integrity over Rabat’s denials.
Widespread Solidarity with Cembrero
Cembrero’s victory has sparked an outpouring of solidarity from fellow journalists and human rights advocates in Spain and beyond. His X account has been flooded with messages of support, emphasizing the critical role of free press in holding governments accountable.
This latest ruling not only exonerates Cembrero but also delivers a damning indictment of Morocco’s clandestine practices. As international scrutiny mounts, the Pegasus scandal continues to cast a long shadow over Rabat’s already embattled reputation on the global stage.
