Two opposition figures in Serbia, Rade Bajić and Denis Jokić, have recently been targeted using advanced cyber espionage tools. This information has been confirmed in a report published by a Canadian cyber monitoring group. This event occurs as Serbia is on the brink of holding parliamentary elections.
Details of Targeting and Reactions
Rade Bajić, one of the two figures, recently announced that on August 13, he received a warning from Apple that his mobile phone had been targeted using "mercenary spyware." However, Bajić and the Citizen Lab group have not been able to definitively confirm whether he has been hacked or how this hack may have occurred. In this context, the Serbian Ministry of Interior has not responded to media requests for comments on this matter. Officials from this ministry have previously denied allegations related to cyber espionage.
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History of Cyber Espionage in Serbia
The NSO Group, which was blacklisted by the U.S. government in 2021 due to multiple reports of human rights violations, has not responded to media inquiries. The company has stated that it only provides services to governments and will terminate its business relationships with violating entities in the event of serious misconduct. Meanwhile, Apple has confirmed that it sent warnings to its users on August 13, but did not directly reference the cases of Bajić and Jokić.
Bajić and Jokić have both criticized the ruling party in Serbia, which has faced pressure from anti-corruption student protests over the past two years. Jokić, who is the president of the University of Belgrade, has faced pressure from authorities for expressing solidarity with students. Bajić has also been pursuing government officials over allegations of improperly removing cultural protections from a historical site in Belgrade. This site was previously known as the planned location for a development by an investment company led by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of the former U.S. president.
Bajić stated, "In my opinion, my involvement in this case is the only reason for this illegal attack with spyware." Last month, the Share Foundation reported that at least 14 individuals, including students, activists, and opposition party members, were targeted by advanced espionage ahead of local elections in March. According to this foundation, at least one of the devices was hacked using Pegasus spyware.
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