Thu Sep 19 09:00:00 UTC 2024: ## British Police Receive Complaint Accusing Israeli Spyware Firm of Hacking Human Rights Defenders

**London, UK -** Four human rights defenders, including a prominent critic of the UAE and a hostage negotiator, have filed a complaint with the Metropolitan Police accusing the Israeli spyware firm NSO Group of hacking their phones using the Pegasus software. This complaint, submitted by the victims alongside lawyers from the nonprofit Global Legal Action Network (GLAN), marks a significant development in efforts to hold NSO accountable for its role in alleged human rights abuses.

The complaint details how the individuals, who were all targeted while residing in the UK, believe they were victims of hacking campaigns orchestrated by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Bahrain. These include:

* **Anas Altikriti,** an Iraqi-born British citizen and vocal critic of the UAE. His phone was hacked in 2020 while he was negotiating a hostage release deal.
* **Azzam Tamimi,** a Palestinian-born British journalist and academic, a prominent critic of the Saudi regime.
* **Mohammed Kozbar,** a Lebanese-born British citizen and the leader of the Finsbury Park mosque.
* **Yusuf Al Jamri,** a Bahraini human rights activist who was granted asylum in the UK.

The complaint accuses NSO, its board members, parent company Q Cyber Technologies, and the London-based private equity firm Novalpina of breaching the UK’s Computer Misuse Act by enabling these state actors to hack the phones.

The police now have discretion over whether to open an investigation and subsequently bring charges.

While NSO has denied any wrongdoing, citing its compliance with laws and its role in thwarting terrorist activities, the company has faced increasing scrutiny and legal challenges globally. In 2021, the US blacklisted NSO due to allegations of human rights abuses.

The complaint filed with the London police represents a crucial step in holding NSO accountable. It remains to be seen whether the UK will follow the lead of other countries and take legal action against the spyware firm. The outcome of the police investigation could have significant implications for the future of NSO and the broader debate surrounding the use of surveillance technology.

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