Moroccan intelligence is accused of establishing a sophisticated center for espionage, listening, and intelligence activities within Spanish territory. Spanish official media reported that these Moroccan espionage operations commenced as early as 2019, marking a significant breach of trust between the two nations. This alleged activity comes amidst a period where Spain has made notable diplomatic overtures, including recognizing Western Sahara's autonomy and actively supporting Morocco's bid to host the 2030 World Cup, raising questions about the nature of their bilateral relationship.
Pegasus Spyware Targets and Modus Operandi
The alleged espionage operations reportedly targeted numerous Spaniards, particularly focusing on those within security agencies who undertook official missions to Morocco. Investigators claim that the phones of Spanish officials traveling to Morocco were specifically compromised through the clandestine use of 'Pegasus' software, a highly advanced and invasive spyware. This targeting was not an isolated incident; for example, Colonel Alberto Aguilera, who serves as the head of information in the security service responsible for Catalonia, had his phone targeted by Pegasus on five separate occasions in March 2019, illustrating the persistent and focused nature of the surveillance. Beyond Spanish officials, Morocco is also accused of spying on a broader range of individuals, including Moroccan dissidents, journalists, Sahrawis, and Algerians, indicating a wide-reaching surveillance network. A significant number of the targeted phones identified in the ongoing investigation were found to belong to Spanish citizens, showing the domestic impact of these alleged foreign intelligence operations.
The 'Dangerous Triangle' and Software Acquisition
The Pegasus spyware allegedly used in these extensive operations was reportedly a gift from the United Arab Emirates to Morocco, noting an intricate international dimension to the surveillance. Millions of Emirati dollars were reportedly used to purchase the sophisticated surveillance program, indicating a substantial investment in its acquisition. The UAE is claimed to have bought the program and then redistributed it to friendly entities, a situation that some observers have compared to a Netflix subscription model due to its apparent sharing mechanism. This complex arrangement has led to the identification of a 'dangerous triangle' in this espionage operation, which reportedly includes Israel, as the original maker of the Pegasus software, the UAE, acting as the buyer and distributor of the technology, and Morocco, as the ultimate performer of the espionage activities on Spanish soil and against Spanish interests. The Guardian reported on July 16 that Morocco spied on thousands of victims through such means, further emphasizing the scale of the alleged surveillance. The article further suggests that Morocco may have infiltrated Spanish telecom companies and hacked phones of individuals on its blacklists, indicating a multi-pronged approach to intelligence gathering.
Spanish Reaction and Escalating Concerns
The possibility of Morocco betraying Spain and operating a spy center or security cells on its territory has rapidly escalated into a significant concern across various sectors in Spain. The Spanish parliament, security forces, and press have all reportedly expressed profound apprehension regarding the alleged espionage activities, demanding clarity and accountability. These concerns arise from credible reports suggesting Moroccan intelligence established a center for listening, espionage, and intelligence operations within Spanish borders, with these covert operations commencing in 2019. The alleged activities involve the systematic targeting of numerous Spaniards, including critical security personnel, and the sophisticated use of 'Pegasus' software, which can extract vast amounts of personal data from compromised devices. The revelations have prompted a serious re-evaluation of bilateral relations and security protocols, especially given Spain's recent diplomatic gestures towards Morocco, such as recognizing Western Sahara's autonomy and supporting its 2030 World Cup bid. This context makes the alleged espionage particularly jarring for Spanish authorities and the public. The gravity of such alleged covert operations on sovereign territory, representing a direct challenge to national security, has spurred widespread discussion and urgent calls for clarity and decisive action among Spanish political and security establishments. The ongoing investigations are expected to shed more light on the full extent of these alleged activities and their implications for Spain's national security and its relationship with Morocco.
