Italian government approved use of spyware on members of refugee NGO, MPs told
The Italian government approved the use of a sophisticated surveillance tool to spy on members of a humanitarian NGO because they were allegedly deemed a possible threat to national security, MPs have heard.
Alfredo Mantovano, a cabinet undersecretary, made the admission during a classified meeting with Copasir, the parliamentary committee for national security, according to a person familiar with the situation.
Copasir is investigating whether the secret services breached the law in using Graphite, military-grade spyware made by Israel-based Paragon Solutions, to monitor activists and journalists, and is expecting to report on its finding soon.
Giorgia Meloni's government has been under pressure to address the case since January, when a handful of Italian activists and a journalist received warnings from WhatsApp, the messaging app owned by Meta, that their phones had been targeted by spyware.
The government initially denied involvement, but Mantovano, who oversees the intelligence services, told the committee that the spyware had targeted Luca Casarini and Giuseppe Caccia, the founders of Mediterranea Saving Humans, an NGO that tries to protect refugees who cross the Mediterranean.
He said the spyware was approved by the government and the attorney general of Rome's court of appeal, and that the intelligence agencies used the surveillance system within the parameters of the law in order to conduct a 'preventive' investigation into illegal immigration. He denied the spyware was used to target Francesco Cancellato, the editor-in-chief of the Italian news outlet Fanpage.
Mantovano's assertions, which were first reported by La Repubblica, have so far not been denied by the government.
Paragon suspended its relationship with Italy when the breaches emerged, a person familiar with the matter told the Guardian. The company's spyware is intended for use on criminals.
Mediterranea Saving Humans said it was informed about Mantovano's claims by journalist sources, adding in a statement that the 'secret operation worthy of a regime' had been 'unmasked to the world'.
In addition to the Copasir inquiry, prosecutors in five cities, including Rome, Palermo, Naples, Bologna and Venice, are investigating claims after complaints were submitted by targets of the alleged spyware breach, who include Mattia Ferrari, a priest, and David Yambio, a humanitarian activist, both of whom have worked with Mediterranea Saving Humans.
'Five prosecutors are investigating and we trust someone will have the courage to get to the bottom of it and demonstrate, as is clear, that this is an abuse of power and nothing else,' Mediterranea Saving Humans added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economist
28 minutes ago
- Economist
A historical guide to surviving and thriving in the court of Trump
Enter through the sparkling courtyard, climb the huge staircase – the kind a Renaissance lord could ride his horse up – and cross the throne hall to a shady salon on the first floor. With its view of the Apennine foothills, the ducal palace in Urbino, in the Marche region of Italy, seems a long way from the Washington swamp. Yet for aspiring apparatchiks in today's America, the road to the White House runs through this echoing room. Five hundred years ago, beneath its vaulted ceiling, a formula for political success was distilled. According to Baldassare Castiglione, a diplomat and author, a group of Italian nobles met here to establish 'what manner of man he ought to be who may deserve to be called a perfect Courtier'.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Bombshell new Madeleine McCann theory: 6 claims about mystery Brit man and wife
A fresh search for missing Madeleine McCann ended this week with no new information seemingly found - however today a new bombshell theory about her disappearance emerged A new bombshell theory about the disappearance of Madeleine McCann has emerged. It comes following a fresh search for the toddler from Leicestershire, who shockingly vanished in 2007 while on holiday with her family in Praia da Luz, Portugal. This week German and Portuguese police descended on an area of southern Portugal close to Praia da Luz where Madeleine vanished. The last time authorities conducted a search related to Madeleine's disappearance around this area was in 2023. But after three days searching the area this week, detectives were pictured packing up their equipment following an operation thought to have cost around £300,000. READ MORE: Madeleine McCann UPDATES: Bombshell new theory over disappearance of toddler Today however, a shocking new theory about Madeleine's disappearance emerged. Portuguese daily Correio da Manha reported German prosecutors refused to probe a couple suspected of running over Madeleine McCann in a drink-drive accident. The newspaper said Portuguese authorities demanded an investigation into a British man and his German wife after his UK-based sister tipped off cops. Here are all the new claims... Alleged drink-drive incident German prosecutors reportedly refused to probe the couple suspected of running over Madeleine McCann in a drink-drive accident. German authorities are said to have rejected a Portuguese request to use an undercover police officer with a fake identity to try to befriend the female suspect and firm up their suspicions she was driving a car that hit Madeleine while under the influence of alcohol. Brit 'tipped off cops in 2018' The Portuguese newspaper reported that the sister of the unnamed British man at the centre of the new theory tipped off police in 2018. The report stated: 'German prosecutors were asked to authorise a covert police operation with someone posing as a friend of the woman's and trying to get her to confess, but the courts refused. 'It was decided to continue solely with the investigation into suspect Christian Brueckner, rejecting other possibilities.' 'Alcoholic' couple The report described the mystery couple as 'alcoholics' and placed the British man's wife in a café near the Ocean Club where she had supposedly been 'drinking' the night Madeleine went missing from the Algarve resort. Correio da Manha also reported another witness described as the couple's neighbour told police separately she heard them rowing the day after the three-year-old disappeared. She said she heard the man yelling: 'Why did you bring her?' Brit man dead Correio da Manha said the unnamed British man had now died. It did not say whether his German wife was still alive. In the front page report today, the newspaper claimed: "The German police refused to co-operate with Portugal's Policia Judiciaria in the investigation of a clue that pointed towards Madeleine McCann being run over. "In 2018 a British woman went to police in the UK to say she suspected her brother had been involved in the disappearance of the youngster. She said her brother was an alcoholic and since the day Madeleine vanished had appeared to hide a painful secret." Portuguese police 'thought driver might have panicked' Portuguese police thought the woman allegedly behind the wheel of the car driver might have "panicked" The newspaper report went on: "The neighbour discovered afterwards it was the man whose sister had reported him to police and was married to the woman who had been drinking in a cafe next to the Ocean Club where little Madeleine was staying with her parents and twin siblings. "Another report the police had indicated that in an identical car to the one the woman was then using, around the time of Madeleine's disappearance, a female and little girl had been seen inside. The PJ concluded she could have run Madeleine over and panicked." Brit 'refused to tell sister' The newspaper claimed the mystery British man had always 'refused to tell his sister if he had been involved in Madeleine's death' before she alerted authorities. Portuguese police are yet to respond to the Correio da Manha newspaper report.
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Pro-Palestine activist from Swansea detained in West Bank
The son of a Pro-Palestinian activist has said he "remains in the dark" after she was detained in the occupied West Murphy, who lives in Swansea, has been held in custody since 31 May when she was arrested in a southern part of the 70-year-old, originally from Cork, Ireland, had been volunteering with the pro-Palestinian activist group International Solidary Movement (ISM) at the time of her arrest. The Israeli government has been approached for Bell, Labour MP for Swansea West, said he would do everything he can "to support a swift and just resolution" after raising concerns about Ms Murphy's access to legal representation. The West Bank - the land between the eastern edge of Israel and the western side of the River Jordan - is home to an estimated three million Palestinians. Israel has occupied the West Bank since the Six Day War of 1967 and is continuing to build settlements which Palestinians want as part of any future state. These are regarded as illegal under international law although Israel rejects this Israel has military control of the West Bank, the Oslo Accords of 1995 gave the Palestinian Authority some administrative and security control over certain Murphy's son Dale Ryan told Radio Wales Breakfast his mother was "doing OK" but he remained "in the dark" about when he would see her was arrested last Saturday before being taken to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, according to her son. He said she was then moved to Givon Prison in Ramla where she has been held since 3 June."She was detained after being accused of being in a military zone," said Mr Ryan."Her and another woman, Susanne Björk, who are there with the ISM, were being questioned by the army." According to Irish broadcaster RTÉ, the pair were complying with the order before Israeli settlers, wearing military uniforms, called the Ryan, who lives on the Gower peninsula, said his mother was brought to a hearing on Wednesday "without any representation.""There is a lawyer acting on her behalf. Because it's not a trial, they would have been there more as a witness, but she was denied access to her lawyer." said Mr Ryan said he had not "personally" spoken to his mothers since the arrest - instead receiving updates from her lawyer and ISM. "My mother is quite a resilient person," he said."But as the days go on, she is becoming fatigued, and probably a bit anxious about the whole situation."Mr Ryan said his mother has some chest problems, which is "concerning for us", and he is desperate to "know she is in good health."According to an ISM press release, Ms Murphy has been involved as an activist in the region for over two decades and has been based in Swansea since the 1980s."She went to Palestine in 2004 after setting up a fundraiser where we walked around the Gower in four days," according to Mr said she wanted to "contribute" to the aid and facilities that were being developed at the time."In the last few years she has spent a lot of time in Masafer Yatta," he added, which according to the press release, is where she got arrested. Ms Murphy's lawyer, Noa Dagoni told the BBC that the handling of the case has been "deeply troubling"."Since her detention at Givon prison, Ms. Murphy has been unable to contact me, despite multiple requests on my part and efforts from her side – the reasons for that remain unclear," she said Ms Murphy had requested legal counsel for "the detention review tribunal hearing as well as representation during the hearing itself".But Ms Dagoni said that apparently "no actual access" had been granted which would "constitute a serious and unlawful violation" of Ms Murphy's rights. Ms Murphy's local MP Bell said "hundreds of constituents" had contacted him with their concerns."I've been in touch with Deirdre's family and am liaising with both the Irish government, who are providing consular support, and the UK Foreign Office, who have offered their assistance and stand ready to help further."He said he was "particularly concerned" that Ms Murphy may not have legal representation."We all want to see Deirdre released as soon as possible," he Irish Embassy Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was "aware of the case and is providing consular assistance."It added that "the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade does not comment on the details of individual cases."The Foreign Office said: "We have not been approached for consular assistance, but our staff stand ready to support British Nationals overseas 24/7." Additional reporting by Shazia Ali
