Mehdi Hijaouy, a former high-ranking official in Moroccan external intelligence (DGED), has confessed to the French newspaper Le Canard Enchaîné regarding alleged state-sponsored violence and intelligence failures. Hijaouy, who served as the number 2 in the DGED until 2014 and now lives in hiding abroad, detailed claims of torture and a lack of oversight concerning the Ceuta border events. His revelations paint a concerning picture of Moroccan intelligence operations. He stated that Zakaria Moumni "was arrested at the airport, taken to the intelligence services' premises and subjected to violence in the presence of Hammouchi. I saw him when he arrived at the judicial police escorted by DST agents. His face was bruised and he could barely stand." Hijaouy also questioned the lack of foresight regarding the Ceuta incident, asking, "How can so many people head towards the border without either the viceroy or the head of services being warned?" These disclosures from a former insider offer a rare glimpse into the inner workings of Morocco's intelligence apparatus, raising serious questions about accountability and the methods employed by state security services.
Ceuta Assault Allegations
The assault on Ceuta, which occurred in early September, is central to the former spy's allegations. This incident involved a significant number of migrants attempting to cross into the Spanish enclave. Spanish border police previously reported a Moroccan plot aimed at destabilizing Madrid through the migrant assault on Ceuta. Mehdi Hijaouy, a former number two in Morocco's DGED, implicates Abdellatif Hammouchi, who heads both the police and the DGST, and Fouad Ali El Himma, first advisor to Mohammed VI, in orchestrating the Ceuta assault. Hijaouy’s statements suggest a deliberate strategy behind the events at the border. He further questioned the lack of official foresight regarding the incident, stating, "How can so many people head towards the border without either the viceroy or the head of services being warned?" This rhetorical question implies a deliberate allowance or even orchestration of the migrant movement, rather than a failure of intelligence gathering. The former intelligence official's claims directly link high-ranking Moroccan officials to the planning and execution of the border events, suggesting a coordinated effort to exert pressure on Spain. The accusations, published in the French newspaper Le Canard Enchaîné, highlight the political sensitivities surrounding the Ceuta enclave and the broader diplomatic relations between Morocco and Spain.
Hijaouy's disclosures come as the hacker group Jabaroot recently published data concerning 70,000 Moroccan service agents on its Telegram channel. This data breach adds another layer of complexity to the security landscape surrounding Moroccan intelligence operations. In an earlier confession to Le Canard Enchaîné, Hijaouy detailed an incident involving Zakaria Moumni. He claimed, "Moumni a été arrêté à l’aéroport, conduit dans les locaux des services de renseignements et soumis à des violences en présence de Hammouchi. Je l’ai vu quand il est arrivé à la police judiciaire escorté par des agents de la DST. Il avait le visage tuméfié et tenait difficilement debout." This translates to "Moumni was arrested at the airport, taken to the intelligence services' premises and subjected to violence in the presence of Hammouchi. I saw him when he arrived at the judicial police escorted by DST agents. His face was bruised and he could barely stand." These specific details provide a vivid account of alleged state-sanctioned violence.
Pegasus Espionage Network
Mehdi Hijaouy, the former number two in Morocco's DGED, has also detailed the alleged use of Pegasus spyware by Moroccan authorities. According to Hijaouy, the Israeli company NSO presented its Pegasus spyware to Abdellatif Hammouchi in 2017. Hammouchi, who heads both the police and the DGST, reportedly tested the sophisticated surveillance tool on his own phone during this demonstration. This personal test shows the direct involvement of high-ranking officials in the acquisition and deployment of such advanced technology.
Hijaouy further claims that Pegasus was subsequently deployed for extensive espionage activities. One alleged instance involved its use to spy on African heads of state during a summit held in Kigali, Rwanda, in 2018. This suggests a strategic application of the spyware for geopolitical intelligence gathering. The former intelligence official also stated that the Pegasus spyware was utilized to monitor foreign heads of state. Among those allegedly targeted were Emmanuel Macron, Édouard Philippe, and Pedro Sánchez. Additionally, Hijaouy indicated that the surveillance extended to journalists and political opponents. These assertions suggest a broad application of the Pegasus system for intelligence gathering against both international figures and domestic dissidents, illustrating a full and aggressive approach to surveillance. The alleged targeting of foreign leaders, including those from key European nations, notes the potential diplomatic ramifications of such activities.
Torture and Defections
Mehdi Hijaouy, a former high-ranking official in Moroccan external intelligence (DGED), has claimed that a team from the Directorate General of Territorial Surveillance (DGST), responsible for conducting compromising investigations on Moroccan officials, has recently defected with all its secrets. This defection, if confirmed, could represent a significant blow to Moroccan intelligence capabilities and potentially expose sensitive information. The former spy also recounted the 2010 kidnapping of boxer Zakaria Moumni. Moumni was detained at the Temara center following his petition to King Mohammed VI for a job. According to Hijaouy, Moumni subsequently recognized Abdellatif Hammouchi among his alleged torturers. This direct identification by a victim adds weight to the allegations of torture and the involvement of high-ranking officials.
Hijaouy further elaborated on the incident, stating, "Moumni was arrested at the airport, taken to the intelligence services premises and subjected to violence in the presence of Hammouchi. I saw him when he arrived at the judicial police escorted by DST agents. His face was bruised and he could barely stand." This detailed account provides a chilling narrative of the alleged abuse suffered by Moumni. This affair led to Hammouchi facing legal issues with French justice in 2014, indicating that these allegations have had international repercussions. The former spy's testimony suggests a pattern of state-sponsored violence and a lack of accountability within the Moroccan intelligence services, particularly concerning the treatment of dissidents and critics.
