The War On News

A record of government actions against journalism and fact-based reporting, from the first press laws to today

Incident

Morocco: investigative journalist Omar Radi's phone is infected with Pegasus spyware and he is later detained

MoroccoRSF rank: not recorded

Engraving of an empty press briefing room with a lectern and rows of chairs

Amnesty International confirmed Moroccan investigative journalist Omar Radi's phone had been infected with Pegasus spyware, and Moroccan police separately detained him overnight days later after private material from his devices circulated in pro-government media.12345

What happened

Amnesty International confirmed in 2020 that Pegasus spyware, made by Israel's NSO Group, had been used against Omar Radi, an investigative journalist for the Moroccan outlet Le Desk, one of at least two Moroccan journalists whose phones were identified as having been infected; the later Pegasus Project named Radi among seven Moroccan journalists identified as potential or confirmed recipients of the spyware. On July 5, 2020, Moroccan police detained Radi and fellow journalist Imad Stitou overnight following a dispute with a camera operator who had been following Radi since late June, and the pair were later summoned for investigation on additional allegations. Private communications belonging to Radi, including photographs, videos, texts and phone calls that a person close to him said had been obtained despite his taking every technical precaution against hacking, were later published in pro-government media outlets and used as evidence against him in separate court proceedings. Moroccan authorities did not respond to requests for comment on the spyware findings.12345

Radi's phone was confirmed compromised in 2020, and he was separately convicted the following year on charges unrelated to the spyware finding itself.45

What reason was given

Stated justification

Not stated in the sources reviewed; Moroccan authorities, including the National Brigade of Judicial Police and the Ministry of Justice, did not respond to requests for comment on the spyware findings or the detention.12345

What changed for reporting

An investigative journalist's private communications, obtained despite his taking precautions against hacking, were later published by pro-government media and used against him in court, alongside a separate overnight detention.1

Timeline

2020

5 July 2020
Morocco: investigative journalist Omar Radi's phone is infected with Pegasus spyware and he is later detained

Who acted

NameRole in this incidentOffice at the time
Saadeddine OthmaniotherPrime Minister of Morocco

Outlets and journalists

NameKindRelation
Le Deskoutletaffected
Imad Stitoujournalistaffected
Omar Radijournalist, Le Deskaffected

Sources

  1. Journalists Omar Radi and Imad Stitou detained overnight in MoroccoCommittee to Protect Journalists, 2020-07-06, reporting. Source record
  2. In Morocco, journalists, and their families, still struggle to cope with spyware fearsCommittee to Protect Journalists, 2022-10-13, reporting. Source record
  3. Morocco's pardoned journalists face smears, threats after prisonCommittee to Protect Journalists, 2024-10-01, reporting. Source record
  4. Spyware By Israel's NSO Used Against Journalist: AmnestySecurityWeek (AFP), 2020-06-22, reporting. Source record
  5. Moroccan court sentences dissident reporter Omar Radi to six yearsMiddle East Eye, 2021-07-19, reporting. Source record

Claims and evidence

Each numbered claim quotes the source it rests on.

  1. A person close to Radi said his devices were compromised despite his taking every precaution against hacking.The most tech-savvy person I know is our friend Omar Radi. He took all the necessary precautions against hacking, and they still [managed to infect his devices].In Morocco, journalists, and their families, still struggle to cope with spyware fears, Committee to Protect Journalists, 2022-10-13.Claim 527, checked 2026-09-22.
  2. Police detained Radi and Imad Stitou overnight following a dispute with a camera operator who had been following Radi.Radi worked as an investigative journalist at Le Desk news website.Journalists Omar Radi and Imad Stitou detained overnight in Morocco, Committee to Protect Journalists, 2020-07-06.Claim 617, checked 2026-09-22.
  3. Amnesty International confirmed in 2020 that Pegasus spyware had been used against Radi, one of at least two Moroccan journalists targeted.Amnesty International confirmed in 2020 that Pegasus spyware was used against Omar Radi, one of at least two Moroccan journalists targeted with this surveillance technology.In Morocco, journalists, and their families, still struggle to cope with spyware fears, Committee to Protect Journalists, 2022-10-13.Claim 618, checked 2026-09-22.
  4. Radi was released as part of a mass pardon marking the king's 25 years on the throne, after an original six-year sentence on separate charges.Six years on sexual assault chargesMorocco's pardoned journalists face smears, threats after prison, Committee to Protect Journalists, 2024-10-01.Claim 619, checked 2026-09-22.
  5. Radi said he could not work as a journalist afterward because Moroccan accreditation rules require no criminal record.In Morocco, in order for journalists to receive a press accreditation to legally work, they need not to have a criminal record. So, at the moment I cannot work in journalism until I figure out my unclear legal status.Morocco's pardoned journalists face smears, threats after prison, Committee to Protect Journalists, 2024-10-01.Claim 620, checked 2026-09-22.