Pegasus spyware used to target Serbian prosecutor and student activist

The five-minute version

Citizen Lab and the SHARE Foundation examined devices linked to a Serbian professor and a prosecutor who investigated a Trump-related tower project. Their findings show both individuals were infected with Pegasus spyware. The report notes at least 15 Pegasus infections have been identified in Serbia ahead of the October 25 national elections, suggesting a broader surveillance campaign.

What they found 3

• A Serbian professor and prominent supporter of the student movement was targeted with Pegasus spyware

  “a Serbian professor and prominent supporter of the country’s student movement was targeted with Pegasus spyware.”

• A Serbian prosecutor who investigated a Trump tower scheme was also targeted with Pegasus spyware

  “a Serbian prosecutor who investigated a scheme to help the Trumps build a tower in Belgrade was also targeted.”

• At least 15 Pegasus infections have been identified in Serbia ahead of the October 25 elections

  “At least 15 cases of Pegasus targeting have been identified ahead of Serbia’s October 25 national elections.”

What undercuts it the paper’s own results

• The writeup does not provide technical forensic details or independent verification of the infections.

Stated limits 1

• The article offers no technical description of how the Pegasus infections were detected or confirmed.

What’s new here 3

• First public attribution of Pegasus targeting a Serbian prosecutor involved in a Trump tower investigation
• Confirmation that a prominent student-movement supporter was also infected
• Contextual link to at least 15 Pegasus cases identified before Serbia's national elections

Artifacts & methods 2

• Pegasus spywareprimitive
• Citizen Lab investigationevaluation

Topics