Researchers Say Pegasus Infected Serbian Rector Amid Protests

Digital rights researchers say the phone of University of Belgrade rector Vladan Đokić was infected with NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware, as he has emerged as a prominent figure in protests against Serbian leader Aleksandar Vučić. The finding comes amid reports of spyware targeting activists and students and a tense election that has intensified the standoff between the student movement and the government. Researchers are also examining whether organized-crime prosecutor Rade Bajić was targeted after he received an Apple threat notification; he has worked on an alleged corruption case involving a proposed Trump Tower development in Belgrade. The operators behind the suspected surveillance have not been identified, and Serbian authorities have previously denied involvement in spyware attacks.