MEPs Urge EU to Slow Serbia’s Accession Over Spyware Findings
Summary
Twenty-nine MEPs urged the EU to slow Serbia’s accession until it investigates spyware use. Researchers found Pegasus and NoviSpy on Serbian student activists’ phones; evidence from NoviSpy infections pointed to Serbian authorities.
Key points
- The MEPs’ call followed a report by the SHARE Foundation, Amnesty International and The Citizen Lab about spyware on Serbian student activists’ phones and targeting of others.
- The groups found Pegasus and NoviSpy infections; they did not assign responsibility for Pegasus, while evidence from NoviSpy cases pointed to Serbian government authorities.
- The MEPs want Serbia’s accession slowed until an investigation is completed and made contingent on stronger rule-of-law accountability.
- They also urged European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to cancel a planned visit to Serbia.
- The Serbian government did not respond to multiple requests for comment, according to the article.
Article Details
- Event Type
- European Parliament members called for delaying Serbia’s EU accession over reported spyware use against student activists.
- Impact
- The SHARE Foundation, Amnesty International, and The Citizen Lab reported finding Pegasus and NoviSpy infections on phones of Serbian student activists. The groups did not attribute the Pegasus infection; they said evidence from the NoviSpy infections pointed to Serbian government authorities. The 29 MEPs called for an investigation and stronger rule-of-law accountability before accession could progress.
People
Aleksandar VučićSerbian president; the MEPs accused his regime of using illegal digital surveillance to dismantle political opposition.Hannah NeumannMEP who signed the letter and discussed its demands with CyberScoop.Marta KosEnlargement Commissioner who canceled her visit to Serbia over the alleged glorification of Ratko Mladic.Ratko MladicFormer Bosnian Serb army commander and convicted war criminal; Serbia’s response to his death was cited as a source of European leaders’ outrage.Ursula von der LeyenEuropean Commission president whom the MEPs urged to cancel a planned visit to Serbia.
Malware
NoviSpyEuropean Parliament members are urging the EU to slow Serbia’s accession process after a report found Pegasus and NoviSpy spyware on the phones of Serbian student activists.PegasusEuropean Parliament members are urging the EU to slow Serbia’s accession process after a report found Pegasus and NoviSpy spyware on the phones of Serbian student activists.